Looking for an excuse to hang out downtown and enjoy the last few days of summer outside? Come check out Columbia’s annual Roots ‘N’ Blues ‘N’ BBQ Festival Sept. 21-22. The three-faceted summer festival includes a barbeque contest, a music festival and a half marathon. A variety of Columbia shops and restaurants set up vendor booths with lots of food, drinks and gifts!
This year, the half marathon begins at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 and costs $60 to enter. All runners receive a complimentary T-shirt and the champion will win a $1,000 cash prize.
The music festival takes place on three outdoor stages set up around the downtown area and features a variety of blues, bluegrass, R&B and soul artists. This year, R&B great Al Green headlines the festival. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros will be there, along with John Mayall, Wanda Jackson, and a variety of other acts. For the complete lineup, visit http://rootsnbluesnbbq.com/.
Tickets for one day of the festival are $55, $75 for two days, and a more expensive all access pass is available as well. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Blue Note box office, or student charged at the MSA box office in the Student Center.
