This is an undated contributed photo of the Wine & Jazz Music Festival at the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
FUND FOR THE ARTS | Courtesy photo
After 25 years of presenting the Wine & Jazz Festival on the banks of the Kanawha River, Fund for the Arts has rebranded the event as the Charlie West Music Fest, which will still offer plenty of music, food and drinks on the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä lawn Saturday afternoon and evening.
At a time when crucial funding sources for many nonprofits are shrinking — or in some cases, disappearing completely — organizers say the success of this event supporting 11 small area arts organizations is as important as ever.
As a result, they’ve added a new incentive this year to encourage patrons to arrive early to get the party started. All beer, wine and other adult beverages will be available at a special “happy hour†price of $5 each from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
This is an undated contributed photo of the Wine & Jazz Music Festival at the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
FUND FOR THE ARTS | Courtesy photo
This is an undated contributed photo of the Wine and Jazz Festival at the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Courtesy photo
Local beers on tap will include four each from Bad Shepherd Beer Co. and ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Nano Brewery, both in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, along with other West Virginia offerings from Big Timber, Freefolk, Parkersburg and Greenbrier Valley brewing companies. A host of domestic beers, hard seltzers, spiked slushies, red and white wines, plus a non-alcoholic Corona round out the drink options.
Several food trucks and vendors will also be on hand to satisfy your hunger, including barbecue offerings from Dem 2 Brothers & A Grill; chicken and steak street tacos from BG’z LA Street Taco; smoked beef, pork and turkey from Gil’s Pit Beef; chicken or steak hoagies, pulled pork or brisket tacos from Big Marv’s; plant-based hot dogs and wraps from Mountain Juice; and Italian ice from Scooby’s Icy Treats and Just Drinks.
Admission includes six hours of music offered by the Bob Thompson Unit, Joslyn and The Sweet Compression, Of Good Nature and Shwayze, who has had a Top 10 album and chart-topping singles like “Corona and Lime†and “Buzzin.â€
This is an undated contributed photo of a spread of barbecued meat.
Courtesy photo
State barbecue championships in Buckhannon
Ready for some tangy, toothsome and mouthwatering ribs, brisket, chicken and pork?
Mounds and pounds of smoked meats and treats from some of the top-rated teams in the country await at the 10th annual Almost Heaven BBQ Bash in June in Buckhannon.
Not only is this West Virginia’s largest barbecue competition, but the showdown also serves as the West Virginia barbecue championship as sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
And just how big are we talking? Nearly 50 teams from 16 states are expected to compete in a four-meat battle to determine this year’s winners.
Other food vendors will set up at the event, offering everything from kettle corn, pizza, pepperoni rolls, calzones, Italian sausages, hoagies, specialty tacos, cornbread, smoked mac-and-cheese and collard greens to donuts, funnel cakes, ice cream and darn near anything deep-fried.
There will also be live music, family activities, games, giveaways, artisans and more, plus a handful of restaurants, bars, shops and galleries just a short stroll away.
The event is voted one of the top 25 barbecue events in the country by Travelocity.
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy.†Reach him at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
