Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

Become a BBQ judge at the 2026 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival and experience the festival from a whole different (and delicious) perspective!

Your judging ticket includes a judge lanyard, festival admission, a festival T-shirt and the opportunity to sample incredible BBQ from award-winning pitmasters before casting your votes in several categories.

Come hungry. Come opinionated. And come ready to take your BBQ responsibilities very seriously. 😉

🎟️ Judging tickets are limited. Get yours while you can! https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29672

The pay is terrible.

Actually, there is no pay. 😂

BUT…hear us out.

Volunteer at the 15th Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival and you get:

🎟️ FREE admission
👕 FREE festival T-shirt
🍳 FREE breakfast and/or lunch
🎶 Blues, BBQ and a day full of fun
❤️ The warm fuzzy feeling that comes from helping support local children in need

That’s a pretty solid benefits package 👊

Volunteer spots are still available! Grab a friend, sign up together and come help us make the 15th annual festival one to remember.

🔗https://eventeny.com/events/volunteer/application/?id=15730

When you go back to work on Monday 9/21, what will you tell your co-workers you did over the weekend? Experience the 2026 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, that's what! Here's your short itinerary:

✅Arrive Thursday 9/17 (put in for PTO for Friday): Check into your cabin. PRO TIP: Last Minute Specials are available! Once settled, join us at the Blues & BBQ kickoff party at The Blue Ridge Farmers Market, located at 787 Summit Street in Blue Ridge.

✅Friday Morning 9/18: Head to Mountain Mama’s Coffee for a local brew to get your day started.

✅Friday Midday: Adventure is at your footsteps! Hike to a waterfall like Long Creek Falls (https://tinyurl.com/bdffb39k) and visit Mercier Orchards for fruit pickin or an apple cider donut (or 2)!

✅Friday Evening: Jump on board the The Kiwanis Blues Train and get ready for Blues & BBQ on Saturday.

✅Saturday Morning 9/19: Order you a BIG country breakfast delivered to your cabin. Eat and enjoy the crisp morning mountain air!

✅Saturday Midday: It's time for the 15th annual Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival! Awesome music, award-winning BBQ, and fun for your littles. Kids 12 & under = free entry! PRO TIP: Order some BBQ to go from one of our festival vendors to take home for dinner. No cooking!

✅Sunday Morning 9/20: Breathe in the last bit of mountain air and reminisce with your group about memories from the weekend. Start planning for your 2027 Blues & BBQ experience!

✅Tickets & Info: https://blueridgebluesandbbq.com/
✅ Lodging: http://www.stayinblueridge.com/members/

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival 2026 | The Blue Ridge Georgia Lodging Association is proud to present the 11th Annual BRLA Blues BBQ Festival The Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival will include over 15 BBQ Vendors and another handful of vendors, including ice cream, boiled...

🚨SCAM ALERT🚨

Hey Blues & BBQ faithful -- we've gotten some reports that scammers are trying to trick vendors into fraudulent Blues & BBQ purchases on Facebook.

Please know that ALL OF OUR VENDOR SPOTS ARE FULL. If an opening becomes available, we will post an update from our official Facebook and Instagram accounts. If you're interested in buying tickets to the 2026 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival ONLY USE THE LINKS BELOW:

☑Blues & BBQ Tickets: https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29672

☑BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm Tickets: https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29672

☑Blues & BBQ Judging Tickets: https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29672

☑Traeger Smoker Raffle: https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29672

Share this post to help spread the word and THANK YOU for all of your continued support. We can't wait to see y'all over Blues & BBQ weekend!

BIG news -- the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival just won GOLD in the 2026 Best of the Mountains contest! Here are the categories we won:
✅Best Events: Foodie Festival
✅Best Events: Summer Festival
Thank you to all who voted for us! We're just over a month away from this year's event 🤯We'll see you all very soon in Downtown !

We're only a few weeks away from this year's festival!! Bring your appetite and a great pair of dancin' shoes. You're gonna need 'em!

🎸🍖 Friday Trivia Time! 🍖🎸

Kick off the weekend by putting your Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival knowledge to the test!

The FIRST person to:
👍 Like this post
👥 Follow our page
✅ Answer ALL FOUR questions correctly in the comments section
..wins TWO FREE BBQ VOUCHERS to use at any BBQ vendor at the 15th Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival on September 19!

🔥 Here are your questions:
❓ What year did the first annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival take place?
❓ Which Blues & BBQ headliner was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2021?
❓ What Fannin County, GA organization is responsible for creating the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival?
❓ Who was inducted into the 2018 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Hall of Fame?

Good luck! We'll announce the lucky winner next week -- stay tuned to your DMs!

BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL KICK-OFF PARTY

An evening of authentic Southern barbecue, live blues music, and community impact is coming to The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm Resort.

Join us Friday, September 18, for a special night featuring a BBQ feast, live music from Emanuel Casablanca — “The Bad Boy of Blues” — whiskey and bourbon tastings, and an opportunity to support organizations making a difference for children and families throughout North Georgia.

A portion of proceeds from the evening will benefit five local organizations dedicated to strengthening our communities.

Great food. Incredible music. Lasting impact.

Friday, September 18, 2026
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm Resort
Open to the Public | Limited to 200 Guests

Learn more and reserve your place:
https://oldtoccoafarm.com/event/blues-bbq-festival-kick-off-party/

The best festivals are built by great volunteers.

We're still looking for a few more amazing people to join our Blues & BBQ family! Whether you're serving drinks, greeting guests, helping in Kids Korner, or directing parking, you'll be making a real difference.

Come volunteer with us on September 19! 🔗https://www.eventeny.com/events/2025-blue-ridge-blues-bbq-festival-29672/