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12th annual BBQ-n-Blues festival returns Saturday to La Salle · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  Twelfth annual Barbecue and Blues Festival returns Saturday to Salle Written by
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  Emily Beebe this article is being read by an automated voice, brought
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  to you by Everlet. A downtown event that has drawn thousands to
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  LaSalle over the years returns this weekend with a new look, new
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  music, and a first time event meant to bring foot traffic into
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  local shops. Rock Block opens the weekend as a new event from
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  5 to 10 p.m. Friday on the 600 block of First Street,
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  replacing jazz in the street after nearly two decades. Two bands are
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  booked, an Ario Speedwagon cover band and a Chicago tribute band. Tony
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  Bassador, Treasurer of the LaSalle Business Association, and one of three chairs
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  of the event, said the move toward rock music opens the door
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  to more genres in future years. However, jazz will still be there
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  as Ben and Kate, who have long played between the main acts,
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  will kick off rock the block. Saturday, is the 12th annual BBQ
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  and Blues, moving from its traditional Friday slot to Saturday for The
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  first time. We felt barbecue and blues was always the most popular,
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  Bassador said. Let's move that to Saturday, see if we can drive
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  more demand. Music on Saturday runs from 4:30 p.m. Through the night.
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  The Ivy Ford Band opens at 4:30 followed by the Jimmy's at
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  6:30 p.m. And the Jimmy Nick Band at 8:30 p.m. Admission and
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  parking are free according to the LaSalle Business Administration website. Food vendors
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  include Hayes Smokehouse, Big BBQ, The Dog House, Mickey's Massive Burritos, Ninth
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  Street Pub, and the La sale VFW. Drinks come from Star Union
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  Spirits, August Hill Winery, and Domestic Beers and Seltzers. Fireworks donated by
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  the city close the night at ten p.m. New to this year
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  is Shop the Block a sidewalk sale from noon to four p.m.
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  Saturday. Bassador said 25 downtown businesses are participating, along with 18 craft
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  and farmers market vendors in The
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  Pocket Park on First Street. Many businesses plan to stay open past
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  normal hours during the event. We want it to be successful for
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  them as well, Bassador said. We don't want it to just be
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  a disruption. The weekend is expected to attract about 2,000 people to
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  3,000 people, Bassador said, with one year having seen as many as
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  5,000 across both days through geofencing data. The La Salle Business Association,
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  a nonprofit representing local businesses, holds the event as one of its
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  major annual fundraisers. Planning for the
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  event begins in March, Basidor said, with bands reserved about 11 months
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  ahead. The event is funded entirely by sponsors. The city plays a
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  significant role in supporting the event by donating the beer garden tent,
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  the stage and the labor for setup, in addition to the fireworks.
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  Bassador chairs the event alongside President Chris Duncan and Steve Westerman, who
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  has helped book the music for years.