Musical notes flowed as sweetly and freely in Scripter Park Saturday as tangy barbecue sauce over a sizzling slab of ribs.
Approximately 2,500 people poured into the Village of Oxford park to enjoy the 4th Annual Hot Blues and BBQ festival.
‘I think the attendance was excellent this year,? said Steve Allen, who coordinated the 12-hour event and served as MC. ‘I think attendance was up, food sales were definitely up from last year, beer sales were up.?
Allen attributed part of this success to high gas prices. ‘I think people are doing things closer to home this year and I think that really helped us,? he said.
Allen was particularly pleased with the diversity and talent level of the musical acts.
‘The lineup of music this year was the best it’s ever been,? he said. ‘I heard nothing but positive remarks from folks about how much they really enjoyed the music.?
Four bands competed as part of the Detroit Blues Challenge, the ultimate winner of which will be sent to Memphis, Tennessee in January 2009 to compete in the International Blues Challenge.
The Paul Miles Band was judged the victor in Saturday’s round and will automatically advance to the local finals at the Ferndale-based Magic Bag in November.
Although they didn’t win as part of the Blues Challenge, Rev. Robert Sexton’s All-Star Blue Revue won the crowd’s heart with their energetic, soulful performance and took home the People’s Choice Award.
To close the event, the award-winning Watermelon Slim and the Workers literally brought the crowd to their feet and provided, as Allen put it, the ‘perfect cap for a great day.?
‘I dig his stuff a lot,? he said. ‘It really came off well.?