Blues and Barbecue returning for third year

? Those looking to sample the new barbecue restaurant in town and listen to some blues music should visit downtown Baldwin on Saturday night.

For the third straight year, the Lumberyard Arts Center Project Blues and Barbecue will take place.

“The first two years were better than we expected, but this year should be even better,” LACP co-chairman Sandy Cardens said. “I am really excited. I think everybody is going to love it this year.”

The LACP is once again host for the event that will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lumberyard Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 10.

Hickory Creek Barbecue will be cooking. Hickory Creek also has opened a new restaurant in the building that formerly housed Walt’s Pizza Cafe on High Street.

“We are pleased that this year we again have the good fortune to have Ric Gere of Hickory Creek Barbecue doing the meat-smoking honors,” Cardens said.

Two bands from the Kansas City Blues Society will play.

“I really wanted to get a true blues band this year,” said Annie France, LACP management team member. “The music in the past has been great, but it hasn’t been true blues.”

The band Howlin’ Steve and the Soul Shakers will be performing, along with Shannon and the Rhythm Kings.

More information on the bands can be found at www.lumberyardartscenter.org.

Cardens said people are welcome to bring chairs.

“The bands will be indoors again this year, but people can still bring their lawn chairs if they want to sit and listen to the band after they eat their barbecue dinner,” Cardens said.