Bluegrass, Blues, and BBQ Festival takes over Fulton

FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The sweet smell of barbecue smoked long and slow.

Musical entertainment and some competition that required an accurate throw was all part of Fulton’s annual Bluegrass, Blues, and BBQ Festival.

“Well, it’s the people. They all come together there are people here. We have a festival everybody comes together,” said Mayor Barry Childers.

And why do festival organizers think barbeque is a good match for this event?

“Everybody loves a southern barbecue,” said Mayor Childers.

“I just think it boosts morale inside the community and allows them to get out and have a good time and enjoy themselves and that’s what we’re about. We’re just wanting people to enjoy themselves and have a good time,” said Ceburn Gray.

A total of 13 teams took part in the barbecue competition including the Fulton Fire and Rescue team which competed in ribs, chicken and pork butts.

“It’s just a taste preference. We’ve played with it, and we’ve got what we like. And if the judges like it that’s great,” said Fire Chief Brad Beard.

Judging for the barbeque competition was based on several factors.

“They judge on tenderness, taste, and appearance,” said Chief Beard.

Barbecue wasn’t the only competition going on at the festival.

The cornhole tournament was very popular again this year.

“What it is is a fun backyard game. You set up a couple of stands and take a bag pretty much filled with corn, and you try to make it the hole. It’s a lot of fun, and folks have really gotten into it the last two or three years the game has really grown, so it’s a lot of fun,” said Justin Comer.

And like the barbecue teams, the cornhole competitors were competing for a bounty of cash.

This was the 4th year Fulton held this event downtown.