By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA—Amateur and “semi-pro” barbeque teams will be cooking up tasty treats in Columbiana on Saturday July 19.

The Shelby County Shindig, which is a joint fundraiser for the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, will be a day full of family-friendly fun, Executive Director of the SCAC Bruce Andrews said.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Columbiana, and feature live music, barbeque and drinks.

The mantra for the day is “bring a chair but no cooler,” Andrews said, and noted local restaurants such as Johnny Ray’s BBQ and Bernie’s on Main Street will provide food and drinks throughout the day.

Entry to the event is free, and for $10, attendees can purchase a tasting band and sample barbeque from all 16 teams and vote for the Crowd Favorite.

A variety of musical acts featuring artists like 2 Blu and Nashville singer-songwriter Hope Cassity and will play from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event will include family-friendly activities such as face painting by Magic City Face Art and a community drum circle facilitated by John Scalici, who leads drums circles “literally all around the world,” Andrews said.

“The people who have never done (a drum circle) before will be surprised by how fun it is,” Andrews said.

An interactive art tent will also be set up at the event and feature a variety of artists including a potter and glass blower.

A select few vendors will also be represented throughout the day, including the Boy Scouts who will be selling honey, a local artist selling wooden spoons and cutting boards and the Humane Society.

“It’s kind of like a country air sort of atmosphere,” Andrews said, and noted those who did not wish to purchase tasting armbands could “wander in, get a drink and listen to music.”

For more information about the event, visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.