Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Come hungry. Vote happy. Support local.

On Saturday, Downtown Hogansville will be filled with smoky barbecue and sweet sounds with the city’s Smokin’ Sounds Fest — a BBQ competition and mini music festival.

The free event is organized by the Hogansville Downtown Development Authority, GP38 and the City of Hogansville.

Rob Dippel, of the Royal Theater, said the city wanted to create an event to coincide with the upcoming Colin Raye concert on Saturday night.

“When we booked Colin Ray, a country artist at the theater on June 21, I got together with the city, the Downtown Development Authority, and we decided to build something around that, so we’re having a barbecue competition,” Dippel said. “Country music and barbecue definitely go together. And it’s a way to get people to come downtown with good people and have a good time.”

Before Raye takes the stage, a couple of acts will have free shows in the lot beside the historic theater and Calvin Hipp Park.

“We’ve got an outdoor stage and we’re going to have a couple of acts. Faith Schueler is going to open at 2 p.m., and GP38 is going to start playing about 4 p.m. They’ll finish up about 6 p.m. and we’ll have Colin Raye’s performance at 7:30 p.m.,” Dippel said.

Admission to the event is free, although the barbecue restaurants will be selling food. They’ll be sure to offer samples, though, for the competition.

So far, the festival has confirmed J. Holts Smokehouse, Rogers BBQ, Jalapeño Express, Grumpy Pig and Smoke Me Something Mister as competitors, but they are still looking for more. There’s no vendor fee, but you must have a current business license and ServSafe certification.  In the barbecue contest, the competitors will cook up all types of smoked meats, including chicken and ribs.

Each vendor will serve up their best chicken and ribs. Grab samples, enjoy the flavors, and cast your vote for your favorite by dropping your ticket into the matching BBQ vendor’s voting box.

The winning team will take home a custom-made metal pig trophy, created by Hogansville’s own, Eagle River Forge.

Sweet treats and other foods will be available from Hotdiggity Dogs Dessert Truck, featuring fair-favorite funnel cakes & fried Oreos. The event aims to be a full day of family-friendly fun.

Smokin’ Sounds Fest will be held in Downtown Hogansville on June 21 from 2 to 6 p.m.