Hot Springs Blues and BBQ

Same festival, new location

It's a new year for barbecue and blues music, as Oaklawn Racing & Gaming and the Spa City Blues Society join forces for the Hot Springs Blues and BBQ Festival, presented by Budweiser.

Formerly held in downtown Hot Springs, the festival at Oaklawn's infield Sept. 19-20 is the end result of the Spa City Blues Society looking for a new location. Mary Melton, vice president of the Blues Society, said several years ago she spoke with board members about moving to a secure place and suggested Oaklawn as an idea. She was later introduced to Brandon Scott, assistant director of marketing at Oaklawn, and the two began sharing ideas.

“I suggested joining the two festivals and it could be a win-win for both parties,” Melton said. “We at the Blues Society are excited to join forces with Oaklawn and know this is going to be one of the premiere festivals in the South.”

Scott said the organization's annual barbecue event, Smokelawn has coincided with Kentucky Derby Day over the past years and Oaklawn wanted to add a music event in the infield.

“We were able to merge this event with the annual Blues Festival to create what we think is going to become one of the biggest events in Hot Springs,” he said. “The two trains collided and here we are today.”

Highlighting the 19th Blues Festival music stage will be Shemekia Copeland and Los Lonely Boys Sept. 19 and Keb' Mo' Sept. 20, along with 16 other confirmed acts.

“We have as good of a lineup of any other festival in the region,” Rob Pratt, president of the Spa City Blues Society, said. “It will really have a party atmosphere.”

For those interested in tasting barbecue cooked by various teams competing for more than $11,000 in prize money, the festival offers categories including pork, chicken, brisket and ribs. Dr. Randy Hill with Southern Krunk BBQ Society will be among the competitors and said he thinks Hot Springs offers some of the best barbecue in the world.

Other festivals come to the state in West Helena or Fort Smith, but Scott said the city of Hot Springs will make Blues and BBQ different from others.

“The backdrop is beautiful and the open air of Oaklawn's infield makes the scene even more spectacular,” he said, adding the talent of the musicians add to the ingredients for a great event. Hot Springs residents also have lower ticket prices to look forward to this year.

“Oaklawn always strives to be the cleanest, safest and most fun place around, and those same standards will stand true at the festival,” Scott said. “Another great thing about this year's event is it's only $20 if you buy your tickets in advance.”

Scott added in previous years, ticket prices were much higher and the lower cost allows more residents to afford to enjoy the performing artists. Tickets purchased at the event are $30, and more information can be found at http://www.hsbluesbbq.com.

“We at the Blues Society are excited to join forces with Oaklawn and know

this is going to be one of the premiere festivals

in the South.”