Canceled in January, back on thanks to public support by February and a rousing success in June, The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festivals wild ride in 2010 has resulted in the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously voting to reinstate the popular festival as an annual chamber event.

Our volunteers from the steering committee to all those who came out to man the event made this years barbecue a success for our entire community, says Peter Eisenbrown, the festivals entertainment director who unofficially led the charge to keep the event alive. Though attendance was down, we were still able, through budget cuts and everyone pitching in, to earn a $30,000 profit. According to Eisenbrown, part of the proceeds benefit charities in Polk County; part go to support chamber operations.

Chuck Britton of C & E Home Improvements and a member of the chamber board has been tapped to chair the events steering committee for 2011. He and his committee are already at work on plans to maximize resources and revenues for next years event.

We cant thank our cookers, our volunteers and the public enough for the outpouring of support we received this year. says Britton. People wrote in, our cookers signed back up in record numbers, more than 80 people in our community pledged $1,000 each for a rainy day fund, and our volunteers came out and did the hard work of running the event in record heat. All these efforts showed us how much this festival means to our community and has focused us on making the event even more inclusive, so it can have an even greater impact for our entire area.

The 2011 Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is scheduled for June 10 and 11 at Harmon Field in Tryon. For more information, to volunteer and for updates on special events and entertainment at the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival, visit www.blueridgebbqfestival.com.