Blues & BBQ is back

July 21, 2011 — The 5th Annual Liberty Centre Blues & BBQ Redux is this Saturday, the 23rd, from noon to 10pm. As always, this North Liberty celebration is at Liberty Centre park near the intersection of Highway 965 and Penn Street. This free festival features inflatable rides for kids, a petting zoo, fishing, speed pitching, bubble blowing, ladderball, a bean bag toss, temporary tattoos, bucket toss, balloons and more.The Iowa Children’s Museum will be on-site early in the day, as well as a Puppy Hydration Station to keep canine guests refreshed.

Live blues music plays all day from Bob Dorr and the Blue Band, Kevin “BF” Burt and the Instigators, Dave Zollo, Regina E and the Disciples and The Ellis Kell Band.With the exception of dogs, entrance into the beverage garden is open to everyone, though guests 21 and over are the only ones permitted to buy and consume alcohol. Also featured at the party are 13 food vendors. There’s lots of barbecue, as well as hot dogs, shaved ice, meat on a stick, ice cream and other treats. Vendors even compete in a barbecue contest at 4:30pm.

New this year, fireworks will end the night. A raffle is being held early in the day for kids 14 and under – the winner gets to push the detonator button on the fireworks show!

The festival is open to everyone and has no fee for admission, rides, games or parking. The event was rained out May 29, but the rain date is this Saturday. It’s Liberty Centre Blues & BBQ Redux: One Day, One Party, One Cool Time.

For more information, including the schedule of events, visit the Blues & BBQ site at https://northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq.