Blues, Barbecue, and Car Show Fuel Strong Turnout at Newberry Festival

NEWBERRY – Pleasant winter weather and the smoky aroma of barbecue helped draw an estimated 13,000 visitors to downtown Newberry on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, as the city hosted its third annual Newberry Blues & BBQ Festival.

Organizers said attendance surpassed last year’s estimated crowd of 11,000, with festivalgoers filling North and South Seaboard Drive from midmorning through the afternoon for a day of live music, food, shopping and friendly competition.

The event, hosted by the Newberry Main Street organization, turned the heart of the historic district into a hub of activity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors strolled through downtown as blues music played steadily in the background and barbecue teams tended smokers throughout the day.

At the center of the festival was a barbecue cookoff featuring both amateur backyard cooks and experienced professionals. Teams competed in two divisions, Backyard and Commercial, and prepared entries across four traditional categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket.

Judging began late in the morning, with chicken entries submitted at 11 a.m., followed by ribs at noon, pork at 1 p.m. and brisket at 2 p.m. By late afternoon, competitors and spectators gathered near the Main Stage for an awards ceremony recognizing top teams in each category, along with overall grand prizes. The BBQ Contest Grand Champion award went to Ferley's BBQ & More.

Competition rules required teams to cook using traditional methods over wood, charcoal or wood pellets. Organizers also enforced food safety standards, including USDA inspection requirements for meats and sanitation rules at each cook site. Downtown streets were lined with 20-by-20-foot team spaces, creating a patchwork of canopies, grills and smokers.

Beyond the barbecue competition, the festival offered attractions for a wide range of visitors. A car show once again lined downtown streets, drawing classic car enthusiasts and collectors. Organizers said about 100 vehicles participated the previous year, and trophies and prizes were awarded again in 2026.

Arts, craft and merchandise vendors also set up throughout the festival area, giving attendees opportunities to shop while enjoying the music and food.

By the end of the day, the combination of blues performances, competitive barbecue, polished chrome and strong community turnout reinforced this festival as a must-go-to event in Newberry.

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