Date: June 10th 2010

Taste of Henderson Barbecue, National Blues Act, Street Strut On Schedule

(HENDERSON, Ky.) June 10, 2010 – The W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival kicks off on Saturday, June 12 in Central Park with the “Taste of Henderson” barbecue, live music, the William Branaman Street Strut People's Parade and several other events. The lineup boasts the soulful sounds of national blues recording artist Albert Castiglia as headliner, as well as several regional and local bands. As always, the festival is completely free.

The day gets off to a colorful start with the William Branaman Street Strut People's Parade. The parade forms around 9:30 a.m. at Central Park and will begin at 10 a.m. The Strut is organized in the Mardi-Gras style, with participants invited to wear their wildest, glitziest costumes. A perfect event for the whole family, the parade offers awards to both adults and children in several contest categories. One participant will be crowned “Grande Ooh-Pee-Doo” and will “reign” over the 2010 festival. Live music for the parade will be provided by Bob Minnette and the Dixieland Society.

The “Taste of Henderson” barbecue gets underway next as nine local teams fill the Main Street side of Central Park with the sweet and smoky scent of barbecue. Barbecue sales officially begin serving at 11 a.m., though some teams may be ready as early as 9 a.m.

Live blues music begins at 11:30 a.m., with sets by Bob Minnette and the Dixieland Society, Blues4U, Velveeta Jones and Albert Castiglia. Castiglia headlines the day at the 6 p.m. time slot, with a signature blend of blistering electric and slide guitar combined with soulful vocals.

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 12 – TASTE OF HENDERSON BARBECUE Location: Central Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky. 10 a.m. - The William Branaman Street Strut People's Parade with music by Bob Minnette and The Dixieland Society. Parade forms around 9:30 at Central Park on Elm Street. 10 a.m. - "Gardens That Swing III" Garden Tour - Sponsored by The Garden Club of Henderson. There are eleven stops on the tour this year, many within walking distance of Central Park. 10 a.m. - Poker Run – This parade-stye motorcycle run starts at Audubon Mill Park. Bring your bike along with a $10 entry fee for charity. 11 a.m. until sold out - Beginning as early as 9 a.m., local barbecue teams will be cooking up mouth-watering barbecue of mutton, chicken, pork and ribs for sale to attendees. 11:30 a.m. - Bob Minnette and the Dixieland Society 1:30 p.m. - Blues 4u
4:00 p.m. - Velveeta Jones
6:00 p.m. - Albert Castiglia

The W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival continues next week with over 20 blues performances, including Handy Lunch Breaks in local eateries, workshops, and national blues artists on the Audubon Mill Park stage June 16-19. The Handy festival is a family-friendly event and even offers a Children's Fun Zone with inflatable amusements from June 16-19, with the purchase of an all-day access wristband. The festival itself is completely FREE, thanks to the generous support of sponsors, a complete list of which can be found at the website, www.handyblues.org.

For more information, please visit www.handyblues.org.

About the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival: Now in its 20th year, the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival began in 1991 and has become one of the largest free music festivals in the nation, drawing over 30,000 attendants from almost every state and many countries. The festival was recently recognized by the Kentucky Main Street Program as the number one outdoor festival in Kentucky and was voted "One of the Top Ten Festivals" in the Commonwealth by the Kentucky Tourist Commission, as well as being recognized as a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2009. The event is a celebration of the life and legacy of Henderson resident and "Father of the Blues," William Christopher Handy. For complete festival information, go to www.handyblues.org.

Follow the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival on Twitter and Facebook:

www.twitter.com/HandyBluesCrew
www.facebook.com/handyblues

For public relations inquiries, please contact:

Christi G. Dixon, Promotions Chairman
W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival cdixon@handyblues.org

Mollie Durbin, Publicist
Blue Heaven Design, LLC
mollie@blueheavendesign.com