Patterson Rotary to Host Its First ‘Blues & BBQ Festival’
The Patterson Rotary Club already has made a name for itself by holding the annual “Men Who Cook “event each spring, but its members wanted to do more for the community and decided to host a fall event, as well.
The Rotary Club will presents its first “Blues & BBQ Festival” from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Patterson Firehouse in Patterson.
The festival which features barbecue from 151 American Grill & Bar, with locations in Brewster and Mahopac, will bring some of the best local blues and R&B bands from the region together for an end of summer music celebration.
“The opening act is going to have a real who’s who of studio and touring musicians that you do not want to miss,” said event chairman Bill Flash. “You may not know these musicians by name, but you know the names of the people they have played with such as Gladys Knight and Keith Urban.”
Local bands that feature community members will also be performing, such as Fast, Cheap and Loud, The Second Saturday Band, Alternate Universe Band, and Strawdog, plus special guests: Dave Keyes, Chris Eminizer, and Scott Beall.
Beall is a math teacher from the Brewster School District.
“Most students and parents do not know that music is really Mr. Beall’s passion,” said Flash. “They can get the chance to see him in a whole new light. He is a phenomenal guitarist.”
There is more to the day than just music.
“This is a family festival,” said event chairman Bill Flash. “There is something for everyone.”
In addition to the music, the festival will also feature kid-friendly amusement rides, and activities provided by the Girls Scouts of the USA. Plus there will be a classic and custom car showcase sponsored by the Harlem Valley Car Club.
Other offerings include: beer from D. Bertoline & Sons in Peekskill, wine by Winelogy in Pawling, and ice cream by Uncle Louie G’s of Putnam Lake.
The festivities are free. All proceeds collected from the concessions will support local non-profits, organizations, and scholarships.
“The money that is raised by the Patterson Rotary Club goes back into the community,” said Flash. “It goes to organizations and scholarships that cannot raise enough money on their own.”
For more information or to become a sponsor, please visit www.pattersonrotary.org or contact pattersonrotary@aol.com.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
