CLARKSVILLE, TN – Montgomery County Parks and Recreation will bring back BBQ Fest Across the River, presented by First Federal Bank, Oct. 9-10 at RichEllen Park. The two-day, family-friendly festival will feature barbecue competition, live music, children’s activities, food vendors and a cornhole tournament.

Admission to the festival is free.

Friday night kickoff

The festival will open from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, with activities including:

  • A Family Zone with inflatables, face painting and other free activities.
  • The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
  • Meat the Teams, presented by United Rentals, where barbecue enthusiasts can meet pitmasters, tour the competition area and learn about their barbecue techniques.
  • Live music from local musicians Lucian and Donald Greene from 6-9 p.m.
  • Food available for purchase from Southside BBQ, Hilltop Market BBQ, Kadi’s Tacos, Bojangles, Donut NV, Joyful Squeeze Co. and Merry Oak Manor Farm.

Saturday activities

The festival will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

The Family Zone will reopen with free activities for children. Other activities include:

  • Cornhole Tournament: Sponsored by Providence Builders. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., with the tournament starting at 9 a.m.
  • Live music: Colin Thomas Isotti and Chuck Mossey will perform from noon to 2 p.m.
  • SEC football: Games will be shown on a big screen.
  • Awards ceremony: The barbecue and cornhole tournament winners will be announced at 2 p.m.

Food vendors on Saturday will include Southside BBQ, Hilltop Market BBQ, Pop and Dogs, Bojangles, Donut NV, Joyful Squeeze Co. and Merry Oak Manor Farm.

Barbecue tasting

Attendees also can sample barbecue prepared by competition teams during the Wyatt Johnson’s People’s Choice tasting beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Tasting tickets are $10 and allow participants to sample barbecue and vote for their favorite entry. The People’s Choice winner will be announced during the 2 p.m. awards ceremony.

For more information and People’s Choice tasting tickets, visit Montgomery County Parks and Recreation’s BBQ Fest page.