ROCKINGHAM — For nearly two decades, the sounds of gospel, beach and R&B, mixed with the scent of a pig on a grill, have saturated the senses of those downtown in early fall.
This year, First United Methodist Church of Rockingham celebrates the 20th year of its annual Holy Smoke BBQ and Music Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to the entire community, not just church members. It includes a children’s area that will feature face painting, corn hole and other games, and the church’s playground equipment.
The only cost will be if you want to eat a barbecue sandwich or, if you’re a little hungrier, buy a plate ($5 for sandwiches, $8 for plates). Once again, the man behind the grill will be Wiley Mabe.
The musical acts scheduled for the day are also no strangers to the festival.
Ronnie Moore kicks things off off at 11 a.m., followed by Jeanine Hanson at 11:30. At noon, Fayetteville-based Classic Soul will take the stage playing various beach music hits.
The Cameronian Boys, a Southern gospel group, will begin at 1 p.m. and Motown artists Jimmy and Darlene Harrington step behind the mics to close out the event with R&B hits.
Organizers say there will also be pharmacists on site to administer flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
A portion of this year’s proceeds will go toward Our Daily Bread and the Rockingham Rescue Squad.
