Westport Celebrates Labor Day Weekend With Blues, Views And BBQ

WESTPORT, Conn. -- The Levitt Pavilion in Westport was filled with the sound of music and the smell of barbecue for the seventh annual Blues, Views and BBQ Festival over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Tim Doherty of Bobby Q's smokes meat at the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival in Westport.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Dave Conti of Red Planet BBQ prepares a pulled pork pizza.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Bill Kirchen performs onstage at the Levitt Pavilion as part of the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Francisco Garcia, Jeff Evans and Bryan Malcarney of Blue Lemon Restaurant at the festival in Westport.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Students of the School of Rock perform at the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

James Farrell of Bobby Q's serves up delicious barbecue at the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

There was an entire row of inflatable fun games such as the Wrecking Ball at the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Kids take a break from music and barbecue to get some balloon animals.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Casey Donahue

09/01/2014 5:00 a.m.

Hosted by the Westport Downtown Merchant's Association, the two-day festival, Aug. 30 to 31, featured a full lineup of musical acts, headlined by the Spin Doctors and Rick Derringer. While enjoying music, attendees got a chance to try out some barbecue from local vendors.

"This is our seventh year, and it gets better every year," said Tim Doherty of Bobby Q's Bodacious BBQ in Westport. "It's great to see all the other vendors. We're all old friends by now. It's just a great day, and a great weekend."

In addition to the food and music, there were plenty of activities for families to enjoy. The Kids Corral featured several different inflatable houses and games. There was also face painting, booths set up by local businesses and artists, pie- and rib-eating competitions, cooking demonstrations and performances by students of the School of Rock. The Cookin' for a Cause competition featured the barbecue chefs as they competed for best chicken, ribs, chef's choice and dessert, with money raised benefiting the Westport Women's Club Food Closet.

"It's awesome," said Bryan Malcarney of Blue Lemon Restaurant in Westport. "We've been coming here for four of five years. It's a great event, it draws a great crowd, and it's a great way to end the summer."

"It's a great festival. Great music, great food, and very well run," said Dave Conti of Red Planet BBQ.

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