Huge Success for the 2016 BBQ & Blues Festival

The Rotary Club of Patterson presented its 5^th Annual Blues and BBQ Festival at the Patterson Firehouse this past Saturday AND Sunday. Over 2000 people, the Festival’s largest turn-out, enjoyed great music, smokin’ BBQ, and two days of fun for the whole family. It was the first time the club hosted an expanded two-day event. 

Every year the festival attracts better and better performers, becoming an event to mark on your calendar each September. This year's performers included Grammy Award nominated guitar virtuoso Gil Parris along with Tommy "Pipes" McDonnell of the Original Blues Brothers Band, both of whom joined their long-time friend Tony T and his City Express Band. Some of the other performers include vocalist Sarah Colvin, who still has local followers from when she performed at Carnegie Hall; and Arthur James, who is a 4-time winner of the Granite State Blues Competition and finalist in the International Blues Competition.

“All of the performers were volunteers, and each offered to come back again because it is so rewarding to play for the Patterson audience, especially knowing the proceeds are going to help so many great charities supported by Rotary,” - Bill Flash, Blues & BBQ Chairperson

The Festival has something for everyone including amazing BBQ food - especially Patterson Rotarian Michael Ingber’s now-famous ribs. The popular Kid’s Corner provided fun and activities for the children all weekend long and the “Craft & Vendor Marketplace” on Saturday offered a selection of goods from local vendors (and even a couple of sweet dogs bringing joy to the crowds from a pet sitting vendor). John Neubauer took home the trophy for his 1955 Ford Thunderbird at the “Blues n’ Cruise Car Show” on Sunday.

The Rotary Club of Patterson is proud to bring the Blues and BBQ Festival to the community, providing free admission for all who attend, however the Club’s “mannequin mascot” also graciously accepted donations from kind and generous attendees. All proceeds collected go directly to support various non-profits, other organizations, and scholarships. Patterson Rotary holds two Giveaways each year, in February and June, which are funded by their three major fundraising events: Blues & BBQ, Touch-A-Truck (coming up on Saturday, October 8th), and Men Who Cook. Patterson Rotary aims to help the very best charities - hospice, food pantries, Veterans causes, animal causes, literacy projects, health and hygiene, environment, local history, education, and much more.

"It’s really nice to take part in an event where you know the funds raised will go toward worthy causes.  We also developed relationships with some very talented and accomplished musicians, and they were all very happy to contribute their time to help fund the work that we do in assisting all the charitable organizations that we contribute to."- Anthony Molé, President of The Rotary Club Patterson

The Rotary Club of Patterson would like to thank the attendees, local community, and the many generous sponsors for making the event our most successful yet.  Main event sponsor, ACME of Patterson, attended both days with their own raffle prizes and store coupons that they handed out to Festival attendees. ACME also donated all the water.  Carmel WinWater provided free parking for all attendees and Ingersoll Auto of Pawling sponsored the Blues n’ Cruise Car Show.

For more information and a complete list of generous sponsors and vendors as well as some of the organizations that benefit from this event, please visit www.PattersonBLUESandBBQ.com or www.PattersonRotary.org.