Barbecue smoke and blues music will waft through Central
Park as the Taste of Henderson Barbecue returns this Saturday, June 13.

The barbecue, in its 10th year, is the kickoff event for the 19th annual
W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival in downtown Henderson. The barbecue takes place in Central Park on Main Street.

Eight groups of barbecuers from Henderson and Evansville will be selling ribs, chicken, pulled pork, mutton and smoked turkey legs as well as sandwiches, homemade ice cream and other treats. Sales will begin at 9 a.m. and continue into early Saturday evening.

The annual Street Strut parade will begin at 10 a.m., and Henderson County Judge-executive Sandy Watkins and Mayor Tom Davis will speak at the opening ceremony at 11 a.m.

Four blues bands will perform throughout the afternoon. Here is the music schedule for this Saturday:

11:30 a.m.: Blues 4U, a longtime Tri-state favorite
1:00 p.m.: Andrea Tanaro and the Ghost Flame Riders
3:00 p.m.: King Bees
5:30 p.m.: James Armstrong, a nationally known blues artist and multiple W.C. Handy Award nominee.

The 2009 Handy Festival also includes Handy Lunch Breaks with live music at various downtown Henderson restaurants Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18.

Bands will hit the stage in Audubon Mill Park, beside the riverfront in downtown Henderson, from Wednesday, June 17, through Saturday, June 20 as the Handy Fest continues.

A full schedule is available at http://www.HandyBlues.org.