Admission will be free on Friday, June 10 to Polk County and Landrum residents at the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival.

The Steering Committee of the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival announced that admission to the 2016 festival will be free all day to all residents of Polk County and Landrum (zip code 29356) with ID that shows home address.

“It’s time to recognize the countless ways the local people have contributed to the success of the festival over the years,” said Chairman Eric McKaig. “We started ‘Free on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.’ three years ago for the general public, and we are still going to do that this year. But if you live in Polk County or Landrum, you get in free until we close Friday,” he said.

The chairman went on to explain that at all other times there will be admission. Kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Active duty military men and women are always free with military ID. Admission includes parking, shuttle to the gate, and all concerts.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, at Harmon Field in Tryon. Both days will feature music on two stages, Carnival rides and games, an exceptional juried Craft Fair, and some of the best BBQ to be had anywhere, plus a wide variety of other foods and beverages.

On Saturday there will also be the fifth annual Classic Car Show, with approximately 200 beautifully restored cars and trucks; a “HOG Run to Fun” motorcycle poker run beginning at Harley Davidson in Greenville and ending at the festival; and, at the end of the day, the Grand Finale Fireworks show by Zambelli Fireworks.

In an effort to be “family friendly,” vendors this year will be offering smaller, less expensive portions as well as their regular menu items, and there will be many choices besides BBQ. Kids’ Ride Bracelets will be available again this year—that is, unlimited rides in two sessions each day: from the time the gates open until 4 p.m. and from 4 until 10 p.m.

For more information about this year’s festival, go frequently to BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com. Names of entertainers, food vendors, BBQ championship contestants and Craft Fair participants will be added as they become available.

-Submitted by Brenda Bradshaw