Best of Dixon’s brew and barbecue returns to riverfront

DIXON — Three blues bands, a battle for barbecue braggin’ rights and some cold craft brew.

That’s the winning combination that will be served up Sept. 11 along Dixon’s Riverfront Park.

“Blues, Brews and BBQ combines everything you need for a fun event, great music, delicious food, and drinks,” said Jennifer Lang, director of events and community outreach.

Rib competition

Things get cookin’ – literally – with the 10 a.m. check-in for the Triple P barbecue competition. It’s $100 to enter.

Contestants will be provided with St. Louis-cut ribs. But everything else, from their cooker down to any secret ingredients, is up to them to bring in. Outside alcohol is forbidden, however.

Entries must be kept at least 140 degrees. Cooks will be expected to turn in a platter of six to eight bone in pork ribs to the judges at 4:30 p.m.

After the tasting – judge will be basing their selections on presentation, aroma, consistency, color and flavor – the champions will be announced at about 8:30 p.m.

Cash prizes for the best barbecue are $800 for first, $500 for second and $300 for third.

Registration is still open. Shoot an email to jennifer.lang@dixonnow.com with the subject line BBQ Competition.

Target toss

The Seventh Bags for the Brave tournament begins at 11 a.m. That’s when the regular gates open.

The target toss bean bag event is organized by Trinity Cares, which will donate proceeds to the Lee County Honor Flight Committee.

In association with the Quad City Hub, honor flights help transport veterans to see war memorials at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

In 2019, the tournament raised $33,348.

Registration for the bags tournament is $40 per two-person team. An 85% payout goes to the top three teams in the competitive division. Event sponsors receive team entries based on their level of support and those will compete in the corporate division.

For entry information, contact Brett Nicklaus at 815-973-3636 or email him at brett@trinityifs.com.

Live music

The Jimmy’s opens the live music portion of the festival at 4:30 p.m. The Nick Moss Band takes the stage at 6:30 and The Ghost Town Blues Band starts playing at 8:30 p.m.

Good eats

Triple P BBQ and Backyard BBQ will be serving from their menus. GG’s Ice Cream will be on hand. Local bars will be serving craft beer and the event is sponsored by G&M Distributors.

Entry

It’s $10 to get in. Children age 12 and younger can enter for free.