Lively East Bay Festival Marks 8 Years Of 'Blues, Brews And BBQ'

ALAMEDA, CA — The sunny weather anticipated in the East Bay this weekend is ideal for the Blues, Brews, & BBQ festival, which gets underway Sunday at Washington Park.

The free event, in its eighth year, will take place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. True to its title, it will feature blues music, brews from local breweries and plenty of barbecue.

Musicians at this year’s festival include MJ's Brass Boppers, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, HowellDevine and Jinx Jones.

Here is the live music schedule for Sunday:

• Jinx Jones, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• HowellDevine, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• MJ's Brass Boppers, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bay Area craft breweries such as Alameda Brewing, Faction Brewing, Drake’s Brewing Co., Oakland United Beerworks and Laughing Monk Brewing will have a presence at the festival, offering seasonal beverages to those 21 and older.

Barbecue offerings at the event will come courtesy of Evergood, T&S Extreme, Smoking Woods and other local pitmasters.

The family-friendly event will also feature a variety of food, artisan and community vendors, plus a “Family Zone” with fun activities for kids.

“With acres of green space, easy access, and great facilities, the whole family will love this community park turned live music festival,” said the West End Arts District, the nonprofit organization behind Blues, Brews, & BBQ.

Attendees are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair to the festival.

Those who R.S.V.P. to Blues, Brews, & BBQ have a chance to win three free drinks packages and three free festival T-shirts, according to the West End Arts District. Six names will be randomly selected, and the winners will be notified via email on Saturday.

To R.S.V.P., go here.

Washington Park is located at 740 Central Ave., Alameda.