MUSIC | RED RIVER
Red River festival blends BBQ, chili and country music
The 8750' BBQ and Music Festival brings four days of live music, barbecue and chili cook-offs to Red River this August.
Published
Music and the smell of barbecue will fill the air in Red River for an upcoming four-day festival.
The event鈥檚 name, 8750鈥� BBQ and Music Festival, is inspired by Red River鈥檚 elevation, said Charlie Wenger, lead producer.
鈥淲e like to say it in that order because that鈥檚 sort of the order things happen 鈥� music alongside a barbecue cook-off and two chile (chili) cook-offs,鈥� Wenger said.
The barbecue and chili/chile cook-offs are Saturday, Aug. 15 at Brandenburg Park and feature several categories. Barbecue categories include pork, chicken, brisket, spare ribs and beans and both appointed judges and festival attendees can weigh in on which dish is best. The event website also lists cook-off competitions for 鈥渞ed chili鈥� and 鈥済reen chile.鈥�
鈥淓verybody who comes in gets a handful of like raffle-style voting tickets,鈥� Wenger said, 鈥渁nd you just drop your tickets in your favorite coffee cans at the, or in the coffee can at your favorite sample.鈥�
鈥淵ou can try as many as you want before you throw your votes,鈥� he said.
Alongside the eats is a festival filled with music, with performances from Las Cruces-born and raised Bri Bagwell to Oklahoma band The Great Divide.
There is a free performance Wednesday, Aug. 12, but the weekend truly kicks off Thursday night, Aug. 13.
Wenger said the festival is focused on the independent Texas country scene but also leans into other acts.
鈥淲e bring in acts that are a little more bluesy, soul flavor, also,鈥� Wenger said.
Motherlode Saloon, Bitter Creek Ranch and Brandenburg Park are the main venues, with performances at each. He said organizers consider creating certain vibes at each venue.
Wenger said he wants the festival to put everyone in a good mood and for it to cultivate a big community and family vibe.
鈥淲e're not a huge festival, so like you're not gonna see a stadium act on our lineup,鈥� Wenger said. 鈥淏ut that means that that's a better chance to discover more acts that maybe are not getting as much big exposure just yet.鈥�
Elizabeth Secor is an arts fellow for the 近距离内射合集. You can reach her at esecor@abqjournal.com.
