Second Annual BBQ With Bourbon Set For Sept. 15

The second annual BBQ With Bourbon will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 in downtown Bourbon with an all-day event featuring a pork steak competition, live music, car show and craft booths.

Chuck Ray of the Bourbon Economic Development said the event is a collaborative effort with the Bourbon Boosters. Ray said both groups are looking to “stir the community spirit” and show everyone “the good life in Bourbon.”

Last year’s BBQ With Bourbon had a soggy debut. Afternoon rains pounded Festival Park. After a relatively quiet first-time event that only featured the pork steak cook-off, Ray said they wanted to expand the event.

Ray said BED asked Jeff Redhage, former manager at Town & Country Supermarket, to help assist with the car show. Redhage oversaw successful car show events for several years at TNC. 

“Jeff has invited the Owensville, Rosebud and St. Clair car clubs to come down,” Ray said, adding that on Friday, some of the cars will be in the parade. Ray wants the classic car owners to stay the night in Bourbon, wake up the next day and indulge in Bourbon High School’s Project Graduation breakfast.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Oak Hill String Band will perform. Car show registration will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The car show will have six classes and award first through third place, along with Best of Show. 

There will be 20 spots for pork steak cooks and 20 booths set up for local business or anyone who wants to set up a craft booth. This will give entrepreneurs an opportunity to market their business or products. “Business providers can rent booth space and tell everyone what’s going on,” Ray said.

From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., The Sounds of DJ “P” will play music. Judging for the pork steak competition is set for 4:30 p.m. Pork steaks will be judged by Bourbon’s first responders.

Each pork steak must have bourbon whiskey incorporated.

Following the judging, the CNS Folk Company will provide live music while attendees can eat food and visit the booths.