Boom! Boom! Boom! That’s the theme for this year’s Virginia Chili, Blues n” Brews Festival, which features Grammy-nominated blues legend John Lee Hooker Jr.
“Bigger and better. That’s the only way to describe this year’s event,” said Terry Short Jr., the organizer of the Festival, which is back for a sixth year in Lumos Plaza in Downtown Waynesboro on Saturday.
In addition to Hooker, the lineup features Erin Lunsford and The Smokey Bandits, Pure Blind Luck, CP Blues and Fatty Lumpkin & The Love Hogs.
The musicians will take care of the blues. More than $2,000 in prize money to chili chefs from around the country will bring the food. The brews will come in an assortment of carefully selected micro- and mega-brews.
More information about the Virginia Chili, Blues n’ Brews Festival is featured on a revamped Festival website – VirginiaChili.com – designed by Augusta Free Press LLC in Waynesboro.
The Festival is sponsored by the City of Waynesboro, Coors, Blue Ridge Beverage, Lumos Networks, Southern Stainless, Holiday Inn Express, and Sam’s Hot Dogs.
Proceeds from the event benefit Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc.
2012 brings back the Chili Cook-off as a “People’s Choice”-only competition.
“We anticipate nearly 3,000 attendees this year, which makes our event the perfect opportunity for chili chefs to show off their skills,” Short said.
The addition of Hooker to the music lineup is part of the effort by event organizers to raise the stakes for the Festival.
“Our approach to this year is, If you’ve been lucky enough to attend the first five … you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Short said.