Barbecue, bullriding and boot stomping in Sonora
For a rompin’, stompin’ good time this weekend, look no further than the Unruly Country Brew N Que Festival in Sonora.
The day will feature rising stars of the country music world, barbecue, bullriding and cornhole competitions, a kids’ zone, line dancing, craft beer and wine gardens, and more.
“I think the whole combination of stuff is what makes this kind of a gas,” said Billy Cohen of Labyrynth, which is helping to organize the event.
The day will kick off with musical performances, then take breaks for the bullriding contest and the barbecue judging, and finish off with more music, he said.
Among the performers Saturday is Luke Combs, whose single “When It Rains It Pours” is currently at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. That track and “Hurricane,” both from his album “This One’s for You,” hit the Billboard Hot 100 this year, and the album itself has hovered near the top of the Country Albums chart for 16 weeks.
“Luke Combs is on fire,” Cohen said. “His record’s blowing up right now.”
An Asheville, N.C. native, Combs has been performing since his childhood.
He’s joined by Tucker Beathard, a singer-songwriter who is following in his songwriter father’s footsteps. Beathard, known for his rhythmic guitar playing, is currently working on his first album.
Country fans might recognize his hit single “Rock On.” Beathard’s played with musicians like Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert.
Jackson Michelson from Corvallis, Ore. is another up-and-comer. He’s been building a base of loyal fans on the West Coast, and his single “The Good Life” found fans on SiriusXM radio. Like Beathard, he’s working on his first album.
Luke Pell got his chance to shine on the 12th season of “The Bachelorette,” and is now playing shows all over the U.S.
Chris Bandi has been performing since his college days in Mississippi. He’s played more than 300 shows throughout the South and Midwest, opening for acts like the Marshall Tucker Band and Kip Moore.
Saturday’s music festival is a great chance for country music fans to see rising stars who make some great music — and potentially have an “I saw them before they were famous” story down the road, Cohen said.
“Any one of these guys in a few years could be a big deal,” he said.
Beyond the music, there are three major competitions, including the barbecue battle.
The competition is a Kansas City BBQ Society state championship event for California, meaning that the points teams earn will count toward the state finals in Orange County, Cohen said.
A dozen of the teams competing Saturday are among the top 25 ranked teams in the state, including the top three: Big Poppa Smokers, Mar-B-Que’s BBQ, and Simply Marvelous BBQ.
They’re not just battling for points. The winners will earn a $10,000 purse.
While chances to taste the chefs’ final products will be limited, barbecue concessions will make sure everyone gets something delicious to eat.
Bullriders will also have the chance to duke it out for a prize. Thirty pros, wannabe pros and ex-pros will turn out with their eyes set on the $12,000 winnings.
An electric bull will be onhand for festival-goers who want to try their own luck at riding.
“If someone’s feeling up for that challenge,” Cohen said with a laugh.
Cornhole tournaments will offer plenty for folks to do, whether they enter the free amateur tournament, or the $2,500-prize pro tourney.
A kids’ zone with childfriendly fun will be in the same air-conditioned building as the cornhole competitions, providing an “oasis” for parents,” Cohen said.
The craft beer and wine gardens will feature both locally brewed or crushed beverages, as well as top brands from around the U.S. and overseas. Both will be outdoors, so guests can enjoy the music, in shaded areas.
Cohen hopes fans of country, barbecue or both will come out to enjoy the festival.
“I think it’s going to be a really, really great day,” he said.