The Ohio County Convention, Tourism and Visitors Commission (Ohio County Tourism) along with Rising Sun Main Street will debut the Rising Sun’s Blues & BBQ on Saturday, June 9, 2018, according to this provided release.

The inaugural event will take place on Main and Poplar Streets in Historic Downtown Rising Sun. It will include an amateur BBQ rib competition, live blues music, kids’ events and a Hillbilly Fashion Show. The event is free and open to the public. Food vendors will have items available for sale. Arts & crafts, commercial and information vendor space is available. Vendors must be open no later than noon.

Interested amateur BBQ rib chef extraordinaires are invited to participate. Only individuals who haven’t made money cooking are eligible to participate in the judged portion of the BBQ competition. First, second, and third cash prizes will be awarded. You need not be a local competitor to participate.

“The tourism board along with local businesses wanted to debut a new event,” said Kendal Miller, executive director of Ohio County Tourism. “We’re starting out small with plans of expanding in the future.”

All amateur BBQ rib competition team entries must be cooked on site, with parboiling in advance not permissible. A team can be up to four members.

A complete list of rules/guidelines/waivers can be found on the enjoyrisingsun.com website. Information is on the Community Page, found on the Home Page drop-down menu. Links and information is also available on the Rising Sun’s Blues & BBQ Facebook page. Ribs only will be judged this year.

There is a $50 charge per BBQ team participation. Arts, crafts, food, information, and commercial vendor space is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric and water is reserved for food vendors only.

Vendors open at noon. The Hillbilly Fashion Show takes places at 1:00 p.m. with bands performing from 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Two youth groups will kick off the event. Rude Mood will perform from 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and The Bits Band from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Performers include Jimmy Davis from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; The Side Effects from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; and Johnny Fink & the Intrusion from 8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Admission is free to the general public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. 

For more information on lodging, eateries, and tourist attractions, contact Rising Sun/Ohio County Tourism at (888) 776-4786. Additional information is available at enjoyrisingsun.com. Rising Sun/Ohio County Tourism is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.