On Saturday, June 11, something new will be happening at the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival – a classic car show. Beautifully and meticulously restored cars will be on display by their proud owners, all of whom will be hoping for prizes and trophies. The new attraction is sponsored by McCurry-Deck Motors of Forest City. The Carolina Classic Car Club of Spartanburg will host the event.

Chuck Britton, chairman of the festival, said this is just one of the things that’s going to make this the best year ever.

“One of the things that keeps people coming back to the festival year after year is that we try to have new experiences in store for them,” he said, “And people just seem to love the old cars.”

Dennis Nagle, who chairs the car show committee, expressed appreciation for McCurry-Deck Motors’ underwriting of the event. He said, “Our sponsors make it possible for us to put the festival on – their commitment to community is inspiring to all of us as we work to make it all come together.”

Paul Deck of McCurry-Deck said that this will be his first year at the festival, but that he has long known that it is a key economic factor in the Tryon-Columbus area.

“The festival draws a lot of people here for a really enjoyable event, and that just makes more people aware of what the area has to offer,” said Deck.

Deck said that he has loved cars all his life and has a real interest in vintage cars. A 1969 Pontiac Firebird is currently on display at his GM store, and he plans to host his own classic car show there in late April.

Anyone interested in displaying a car at the Barbecue Festival should contact the BBQ office at 828-859-7427.

The 18th Annual Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival will be held at Harmon Field in Tryon on June 10 and 11. The event includes a cooking competition – sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society – music (on two stages), a juried craft fair with more than 50 artists and crafters displaying, demonstrating and selling their art, carnival rides and games for kids, sponsor displays and, of course, some of the best food to be had anywhere.

Saturday’s special events include the classic car show, the third annual Rubber Ducky River Race and “Hawg” Runs (motorcycle poker runs) originating in Greenville and Asheville and ending at the festival. Look for upcoming announcements about other attractions that are being added to the 2011 event.

The festival is conducted annually under the auspices of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the festival help support chamber operations and additional proceeds go to the Carolina Foothills Chamber Foundation to be returned to the community through distributions to a variety of charitable and civic programs and projects throughout the county. Funds are generated by a modest admission fee, contestant entry fees and sponsorships.

For further information, call the festival office at 828-859-RIBS (7427) or visit BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com.