Press Release
Alex Troge, Parks & Recreation Department
atroge@columbiatn.com

Columbia, TN (August 22, 2017) – The City of Columbia is prepping for the third annual First Tennessee Muletown Bluegrass BBQ to be held September 22-23, 2017 at Riverwalk Park in Columbia, Tennessee. This year’s event has expanded to two exciting evenings filled with fun, festivities, and some of the best barbecue around.

Both days feature a full lineup of live music performance by bluegrass bands in the region such as Lateral Blue; Grasskickers; Spur of the Moment Bluegrass; Craig Morris and King Cotton; and Leipers Fork Bluegrass.  Both evenings will include great BBQ, ice cream and other foods for sale, a Corn Hole Tournament, a three-hole disc golf course, and live chainsaw wood carving demonstrations.

“The city is pleased to host the Bluegrass and BBQ event again this year,” stated Mayor Dean Dickey. “We are excited to have the community and visitors come out to Riverwalk Park.”

The First Tennessee Muletown Bluegrass BBQ takes place Friday, September 22nd from 5:30pm to 8:00pm and Saturday, September 23rd from 3:30pm to 8:00pm. It’s free general admission and open to the public. There will be food for purchase and a ticketed event taking place for those interested.

Friday evening’s schedule includes the ‘People’s Choice BBQ Chicken Wings Competition’ to support a local charity. This event will be held at the Farmers Market pavilion at Riverwalk Park. The first 50 people to purchase entry to this event will taste and vote on their favorite wings prepared by the vendors and teams present.  Tickets are $10 each and will be sold starting at 5:30pm at the Farmers Market. The contest will begin at 6:00pm.

Saturday’s activities include the KCBS team awards presentations, food vendors, Bluegrass music, a three-hole disc golf course, balloon artist, face painting, caricature artist, and chainsaw carvings. Square Dancing featuring the Rocky Top Revue will be at 6:00pm.

It is not too late to be part of this event.  The city invites the BBQ teams as well as artists to showcase their culinary and creative talents. BBQ Team spots are limited to no more than 30. Be sure to register today to reserve your team’s spot! Judging will be in the categories of ribs, chicken, and pork butt/shoulder. Cash prizes will be awarded from 1st to 5th place in each category. And the competition is heating up as this year’s cook-off goes international with a team from the Netherlands vying for a win in the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition.

The Mayor would also like to thank the event sponsors stating “This community event would not be possible without the generosity and sponsorships of the area businesses.  We truly appreciate their support”.

For more information and/or team, judges, and vendor applications: www.columbiatn.com//bbq

ABOUT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA
For those seeking a true Southern, Main Street America experience, Columbia is 45 minutes south of Nashville, Tennessee and 79 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. Here you’ll discover a historic downtown with a vibrant Main Street and beautiful town square bordered by the Duck River. And it is home to an American President!  So come on over, you’re welcome here. We hope you’ll be enchanted by our city and feel connected to the stories, experiences and people of Columbia. It's a classic Southern town with a kick! www.ColumbiaTn.com