For the ninth year, Columbia will host the "Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival."
The festival's promotional material notes American Blues Scene Magazine has called it "One of the most prominent festivals in the country!"
This year's program features more than 30 artists and groups who are known for performing in roots, blues, gospel, country, folk, bluegrass, rock, and soul music genres - including international, national, regional, and local artists.
Artists featured this weekend include: Dwight Yoakam, Brandi Carlile, NEEDTOBREATHE, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, The Word, Lucinda Williams, Punch Brothers, G. Love & Special Sauce, Robert Cray, Lucero, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Justin Townes Earle, The Wood Brothers, Irma Thomas, Here Come The Mummies, Tab Benoit, Junior Brown, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Rebirth Brass Band, Whitey Morgan, Mike Farris, Dale Watson, Danielle Nicole, Music Maker Blues Revue, Chump Change, Dave & Dyno with The Roadkill Orchestra, Broadway Blues.
The festival begins with a kick-off event at 5 p.m. today in downtown Columbia.
The musical events are Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Stephens Lake Park, near the intersection of East Broadway and Old Highway 63, between U.S. 63 and the Boone Hospital complex.
Tickets are available online at rrootsnbluesnbbq.com, and at Vinyl Renaissance & Audio of Columbia, 16 N. Tenth St. One-day tickets are $49.50 for either Friday or Sunday, and $65 for Saturday. A full weekend ticket is $125 - a $34 savings.