Up to 200 classic cars and trucks expected at the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival

Published 10:11 pm Wednesday, June 3, 2015

On Saturday, June 13, as many as 200 classic cars will arrive at the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival in Tryon, N.C., to take part in the 5th annual Classic Car Show. As in previous years, the beautifully restored cars and trucks are expected to fill the soccer field at Harmon Field. Literally thousands of festival guests will have the opportunity to walk among them and chat with the proud owners. In the late afternoon, prizes and trophies will be awarded, based on participant voting in several categories including Best of Show – Car and Truck.

 Dennis Nagle, chairman of the Festival Car Show Committee, said this event draws such a large number of entries because the car owners enjoy coming to the festival.

 “They love bringing their whole family to the BBQ Festival, because there is so much to do all day and into the night,” Nagle said.

 The entry fee is only $20 per car and includes admission for two people. There is no admission fee for children 12 and under.

 The Dusenbury Nationwide Insurance Agency is sponsoring the event again this year and, as a major added attraction, they are bringing the Nationwide NASCAR Show Car and Simulator to the Festival on Saturday. The simulator allows guests to virtually experience the thrill of driving around a NASCAR track in the computerized simulator. Nagle said the show organizers are especially excited that the show car this is year is Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s famous #88.

 “Everyone is going to love getting a close up look at that,” he said.

 The Classic Car Show is hosted by The Carolina Classic Car Club (Spartanburg, S.C.). Registration is from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which begins around 5 p.m. Best of Show Car and Truck will be chosen, and trophies will be awarded to the top 20 cars and trucks (plus GM, FOMOCO, MOPAR and Non Big 3). There will also be a 50/50 drawing and door prizes.

 Download a registration/information form at www.BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com. If you have questions about displaying a car at the festival, contact the BBQ office at 828-859-7427.

 The 22nd annual Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival will be held at Harmon Field in Tryon, N.C., on June 12 and 13. It includes not only a cooking competition — sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society — and great music on two stages, but also a juried craft fair with up to 50 crafters displaying, demonstrating and selling their art; carnival rides and games for kids of all ages; interesting and informative sponsor displays and, of course, some of the best food to be had anywhere.

 Saturday’s special events include the Classic Car Show and a “Hawg” Run (motorcycle poker run) originating in Greenville and ending at the festival. And, last but not least, a grand finale fireworks display on Saturday night.

 A special feature again this year is free admission for everyone from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday only. Guests get in free and stay all day if they wish. Other times, tickets are $8 at the gate, with kids 12 and under always free with a paying adult.
Active duty military are also always free with military ID. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. both days.

 The festival is operated each year by the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds help support chamber operations, and additional funds 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. For further information, call the festival office at 828-859-RIBS (7427) or visit BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com.

– Submitted by Brenda Bradshaw