ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — The tantalizing aromas of barbecue wafting up from Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph, Michigan, will lure hundreds to this Lake Michigan resort town noon to 8 p.m. May 21. Popular craft beers, regional wines and nearly eight hours of live blues and bluegrass music will be other big draws when Chemical Bank presents the fourth annual BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass 3/4 A Taste of Michigan Festival.

“This will be a great way for families and friends to celebrate spring and kick start beach season,” said Whitney Behnke, executive director of St. Joseph Today. “Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of. We’ll have lots of drinks and mouthwatering barbecue for purchase. So come on down for an afternoon of fun, rain or shine.”

Ron Weimer of Hilliard Lyons, manager of the Paul and Rose Suchovsky Charitable Trust th sponsors the concert said, “We are excited as ever to bring this year’s BBQ lineup to the community as we continue to build upon what is becoming Southwest Michigan’s premier music Festival. The lineup again has award winning artists along with up and coming artist’s that are diverse and are excited to perform for our community. We are proud to be a part of this event. ”

Scheduled show times are:

• 12:30 p.m.: Trout Steak Revival

• 2 p.m.: Joe Louis Walker

• 3:30 p.m.: High Valley

• 5 p.m.: Sam Bush

• 6:45 p.m.: Jonny Lang

The beverage tent, sponsored by Bud Distributing, Inc., Dowagiac, Mich., will showcase a variety of local and regional brews and wines. Guests will have beverage options from a variety of Michigan brewers and winemakers including Frankenmuth Brewery, Perrin Brewing Company, Roak Brewing Co., Rochester Mills Beer Co., Round Barn Brewery & Winery, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Tapistry Brewing, Crane’s Hard Cider, Lazy Ballerina and Tabor Hill Winery. A soda stand will also feature a variety of soda flavors as well as bottled water for purchase. Biggby Coffee of St. Joseph has sponsored a free water station, festival goers are encouraged to bring water bottles to fill.

Food vendors will provide a range of sweet to spicy barbecue offerings to please every palate. BBQ vendors include Bistro on the Boulevard, Charlie’s Piggin’ N’ Grinnin’, Coach’s Bar and Grill, the Greenbush Brisket Van, Larks Bar-B-Que, The Prized Pig, Rays on the Green and Silver Beach Pizza.

Activities at Silver Beach Center, an amusement venue across the street from Whirlpool Centennial Park, and shops in downtown St. Joseph will augment festival activities.

Behnke said in addition to Chemical Bank, Bud Distributing, Inc., and the Paul and Rose Suchovsky Charitable Trust managed by Hilliard Lyons, two regional radio stations, WIRX 107.1 and WYTZ 97.5 Y-Country, Aay’s Rental and Beaudoin Electrical Construction are event sponsors.

Tickets will be $15 in advance and $20 day of for the all-day festival with an additional charge for drink tickets on site. Food will be available for cash purchase. Behnke said local lodgings are geared up to host festival guests. Ticket, parking and overnight stay information is available at stjoetoday.com/bbq or the Welcome Center at 301 State St. in downtown St. Joseph.

St. Joseph Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and businesses in St. Joseph, Mich. and its surrounding communities. For more information about BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass or upcoming events, visit stjoetoday.com, facebook.com/stjoetoday or call (269) 985-1111.