The South is known for many things. Sweet iced tea. That classic Southern hospitality. A slower pace that makes you long to sit back in a rocking chair on the front porch and chat with family and friends. Cool fall days. Hot summer nights. Hearty comfort foods. The music of the mountains. And at one festival in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, two of these favorite Southern staples come together for the quintessential North Georgia experience. It’s the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ festival in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park!
When the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, downtown Blue Ridge becomes host to the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ fall event. This fall North Georgia event perfectly pairs the crisp air and vivid colors of autumn with the incredible smells — and tastes — of Southern BBQ AND the mountain music we know as bluegrass!
Local and regional BBQ masters will come together to offer an impressive lineup of BBQ dishes for visitors in the area, and talented musicians will set the perfect musical lineup for the event!
11th Annual Blues & BBQ | 2022 MUSIC
Bluegrass will fill the air at the 11th Annual Blues & BBQ event in Blue Ridge. You’ll be tapping your toes to the sounds of the mountains all day, with a great lineup of bluegrass bands. Bands at the 2022 event include:
- Men in Blues | 11:30 AM
- Hughes Taylor Band | 1:30 PM
- The Crossroads Band | 3:30 PM
- Packrat’s Smokehouse | 5:30 PM
- Race & The Royal Peacocks | 7:30 PM
BBQ at the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
The 2022 festival is bringing 10 BBQ vendors — both local and regional — to downtown Blue Ridge. Along with the tasty BBQ, enjoy ice-cold beer, wine, water, and sodas. The BBQ (and more!) vendors for 2022 include:
- Angelfire 7 BBQ
- Blue Ridge Rubs
- Cartright’s It’s a Doozy! Seasoning
- Chatter Box Cafe
- Choate BBQ
- Dippin’ Dots
- Island Creek Seasoning
- Mercier Orchards
- Mountain Kettle Corn
- Mr Nice Guy Authentic Soul Food
- Mutt & Jeff’s Smokehouse
- My Pop-Pop’s Nuts
- Sauce on the Side
- Sharpe’s Southern Smoke Shack
- Side Burners Barbecue
- Smokin’ E’s BBQ
- Snowie (shaved ice)
- Soul Truckin’ Good
- Sweet Cheeks Bar-B-Que
- The Inked Pig
- WaWa Sauce
Get in FREE with the Blue Ridge Blues Crawl!
On Friday, September 16, 2022, begin a fun weekend with the Blue Ridge Blues Crawl at 7 PM. Get an official Blues & BBQ Festival Rack Card from the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce or a participating Crawl restaurant, get all the stars punched at the restaurants, and then get into the festival for FREE on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Area restaurants during the crawl will boast good food, cold drinks, and live blues music to start this fun weekend.
What YOU Need to Know
Ready for bluegrass, BBQ, and beer? Here’s what you need to know for this fun North Georgia event!
Admission
$10/person — kids 12 and under get in FREE
Supporting Local Children
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia, Ferst Readers, and Snack in a Backpack — so it’s good food for a great cause!
A Few Rules
Coolers, pets, and smoking are not allowed inside the festival.
MORE Great BBQ in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Can’t get enough BBQ when you’re in the Blue Ridge Mountains? No worries! North Georgia boasts plenty of great places to grab your smoky favorites. Here are a few local options when you’re in the mood for pulled pork, ribs, and other mouthwatering Blue Ridge BBQ.
Blue Ridge Mountain Barb-B-Q
3870 E 1st St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Carroll’s Barbeque
39 Lance St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Mike’s Trackside BBQ
3950 E 1st St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Pink Pig
824 Cherry Log St
Cherry Log, GA
Stateline BBQ
47 Toccoa Ave Suite A
McCaysville, GA
Live Music in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Want some live music to go with that delicious BBQ in Blue Ridge? Check out these area live music spots!
The Blue Coyote
Along with hot wings and cold beer, enjoy trivia nights, TVs playing top sports, and live local bands throughout the week.
Fightingtown Tavern
This local spot mixes farm-to-table dishes with small-batch whiskey, 70s rock – all the time, and a family-friendly atmosphere. They boast no freezer and no microwave — meaning fresh food always.
Vine
Enjoy a glass of wine paired with a cheese plate, appetizers, and live music at this favorite local spot on E Main Street in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
The Dogwood Hangout
Another laid-back spot with live music, The Dogwood Hangout sets a unique atmosphere. It features 100+ year-old trees, no TVs, outdoor seating, a beer garage with 70+ options, sharing-style dishes, and the feeling of community.
Misty Mountain Hops
This Vinyl Pub is focused on small events with live music. Menu items include fried pickled okra, fried deviled eggs, a nice lineup of sandwiches and burgers, craft beers, and more. Upcoming music for the 2021 summer includes Andrew Chastain, Hush Money Band, The Stephen Busie Band, Canon Tyler, Highbeams Band, and more!
Where to Stay in North Georgia
Need a comfortable, fun place to stay on your North Georgia getaway after the barbecue festival? We have you covered. Our gorgeous cabin rentals offer all you need for a wonderful stay, including fully equipped kitchens and grills so you can try your hand at a barbecue. Plus, you can soak in a steamy hot tub, enjoy mountain views with a cup of coffee, host epic movie nights, and play games with family and friends. Plan YOUR memorable Blue Ridge Mountain experience today!
