GREENFIELD – There was plenty of barbeque, beer and blues at the Riverside Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival on Saturday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
There were also competitions, like the wing contest and the keg and barrel roll, while live music from AcousticcA, Eva Cappelli Band DuJour and Janet Ryan played throughout the day, and people got the chance to watch demonstrations on grilling pizza, making a rub for ribs and stacking a meatball pizza kibob.
People traveled from down the street to states away to come to the event. Rachel Guillotte, of Greenfield, said she came to the event because of her father.
“I like the beer, and combined with the music, it’s perfect,” Guillotte said. “Plus the pizza demonstration looks good, too.”
Rogers Epstine and Elena Alberti traveled from MIT in Boston as they were going on a trip to Springfield.
“I also like barbeque, a lot,” Epstine said. “This is pretty cool.”
Alberti said she had a mac supreme — a combination of barbeque and mac and cheese — which she said was awesome.
Donna Matthews said she liked the event because it was family and pet friendly. She came from California to see her father, and her family came together for the event.
“I like to schedule my trip around events, and this was one of them. I’ve been coming for a few years now, and it’s been great,” Matthews said. “Lefty’s has great beers, the barbeque contest allows entrance to the one in Kansas City – there’s no wrong choice.”
A group of her family members sat at a picnic table, talking and listening to music throughout the day. Matthew’s sister, Jan Adam, said she likes to come to be able to take her father out.
Although the event was held at the fairgrounds, the festival was set up in a such a way that people could eat their barbeque and watch the bands play at the same time.
Tammy Guin of Greenfield said it was her first time at the festival, and she plans on coming back next year.
“My husband works for the radio, so that’s how I heard about it. The food is great, the prices are great and the music, too,” Guin said. “I tried all the wing competition samples. I highly recommend it. I am going to come back next year, for sure.”