Published: August 06, 2008 12:49 pm            

Huntington Rib and Music Fest brings tasty cuisine and tunes

Huntington — Today is the first day of the 13th annual Huntington Rib and Music Fest at Harris Riverfront Park featuring six award-winning barbecue chefs and crews.

In addition to selling barbeque, the ribbers compete for cash prizes; winners are chosen by a panel of barbeque afficiantos. Festival goers are encouraged to vote for their favorite overall participant in the “People’s Choice” competition.

Each day of the four-day event offers a different type of music featuring national and local bands, including Ashland native Larry Whitt, who will perform from noon to 2 p.m. Friday under the main dining tent and from 4:15 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, which is Family Day and admission is $1. Other area blues musicians are included in the lineup for Sunday.

Thursday night features classic rock, with music by Bud Carroll and the Southern Souls from 6:15 to 7 p.m. The Angie Fletcher Band performs from 7:15 to 8 p.m. with The Marshall Tucker Band taking the stage from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Country Night follows on Friday, with Whitt performing at noon. At 6 p.m., the WTCR Jamboree feat is scheduled with Cody McCarver of Confederate Railroad. From 8:30 to 11 p.m., Jake Owen will perform.

Saturday will be Oldies Night, and the band Haulin’ Dust will take the stage from 1 to 3 p.m. At 7 p.m., The Clovers, The Marvelettes and The Diamonds will perform.

Local blues bands dominate Sunday: Li’l Joe — noon to 1:30 p.m.; Chris Sutton — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Carpenter Ants — 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Larry Whitt — 4:15 to 5 p.m.

Rib vendor awards will be presented at 5:30 p.m.

Festival hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $2 for adults before 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, except for lunchtime on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., when admission is free. After 5 p.m., each day, adult admission is $5. On Sunday, admission is $1 for Coca Cola Family Day for adults. Children younger than 12 are admitted free all weekend.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.

        

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