3rd annual Smokin’ on The Rez
BBQ and Music Festival Oct. 23-24
 
BBQ highlights event at Barnett Reservoir
 
An event to delight all senses, the 3rd annual Smokin’ on The Rez BBQ and Music Festival will be held Oct. 23-24 at Old Trace Park overlooking Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland.

Visitors will enjoy the aroma of pork cooking over burning hardwood as pro and amateur pit-masters compete in the Memphis BBQ Network-sanctioned culinary contest.

After smelling it, they can taste it, too. On Saturday, admission to the event will include a BBQ plate of pulled pork prepared by the competitors, as well as grilled sausage provided by Polk’s Meats of Magee, and sides.
The Music Festival will provide tunes from some of the Mississippi’s most talented and popular musicians performing on the Polk’s Music Stage.

All of that, with the feel of autumn overlooking the scenic reservoir, comes courtesy of the Barnett Reservoir Foundation and the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, co-hosts of the event.  Fans of good smoked pork will not want to miss this opportunity to visit with and get tips from some of the best pit-masters and teams in the world of competitive BBQ.

They also won’t want to miss the opportunity to feast on the cooking. The BBQ plates will be served beginning at 12:30 p.m. Saturday until the supply is exhausted.

Mr. Sipp, the Mississippi Blues Child, headlines the all-Mississippi music lineup. Mr. Sipp, winner of the 2014 Memphis International Blues Competition, will play from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday’s music begins at 11 a.m. with Jackson’s own harmonica man Scott Albert Johnson, with Chalmers Davis on keyboards, playing tunes from Johnson’s recently released “Going Somewhere” CD.

At 1:30 p.m., local favorites Andrew Pates and Barry Leach will take the stage, joined by some friends, to cover a full range of music.

On Friday night, when the BBQ teams are most available to the public, Soulshot will provide the music from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

A children’s area will be located in the grass area near the stage.

Tickets are $15 for both Friday and Saturday, or $10 either day.

Beer, water and other beverages will be sold on site. No outside coolers will be allowed.

Smokin’ on The Rez is made possible by the Foundation sponsors, including Southern Beverage, Polk’s Meats, Academy Sports, I Heart Radio, and Ergon, plus a grant from Mississippi Tourism’s Visit Mississippi program.