State BBQ Fest set for weekend

(The auction and other festivities Friday at The Warehouse are by reservation only).

The children’s area is in a larger space this year, Cindy Simmons said. The 4-H petting zoo again will be set up as well as a kids crafts area. “The bungee guy said he might bring more equipment,” she noted.

The reigning bean eating and hog calling winners will be on-site this weekend, challenging others while defending their titles. The people’s choice designation again will be awarded this year.

Cindy Simmons said the festival will be set up differently this year, enabling a better flow throughout the festival. Brad Simmons added the cooks are “stepping it up” this year.

“We went through 6,000 pounds of meat last year,” he explained. “We were only expecting 3,000-10,000 for the weekend. ... We’ll hopefully have a crazy amount of people.”

The cooks are looking forward to returning to Danville.

“They’re coming back because Danville gave them a big hug,” he explained.

Added Cindy Simmons, “They love the whole town.”

SO YOU KNOW

The Kentucky State BBQ Festival will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free; food will be for sale during the weekend. For more information, log on to www.kentuckybbqfestival.com.

Here’s a tentative schedule of events:

Saturday

11-11:15 a.m.: opening ceremony, main stage

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Big Poppa Stampley, main stage

12:30-1 p.m.: competition chicken demo, demo stage

1-4 p.m.: people’s choice voting; voting closes at 4 p.m.

1:15-2:15 p.m.: Alien Blue, main stage

2:30-3 p.m.: making great ribs demo, demo stage

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Oh My Me, main stage