BBQ and Bluegrass Festival

Music, food, games, celebrity dunking booths and more at Boone Hall Plantation this weekend

Labor Day weekend is traditionally a time to enjoy the last of Summer's bounty, bask in the natural beauty that is Charleston, and munch some tasty fare that is cooked outdoors.

What better way to do it than visit Boone Hall's fifth annual BBQ and Bluegrass Festival this Sunday? This year's event is going to be even bigger and better than before, with renowned bluegrass artists like Ricky Skaggs and the Carolina Chocolate Drops headlining the festival.

If you've never ventured to Boone Hall Plantation, it's never been a better time to go. The plantation is one of the Lowcountry's most popular venues for events, and it's no wonder; it's a vast, beautiful place where you can easily imagine thousands of people shimmying under the sun, or the stars.

'It's reasonable to expect that with good weather this year, we will have more than 4,000 guests,' says Rick Benthall of Boone Hall Plantation. 'The first year we had the event, we hosted about 800. Then last year, with musician Ralph Stanley, there were over 3,400.'

This year, plenty of excitement is planned. Festivities start at noon and last until 9 p.m. It's also the last of the Summer Concert Series. So make it a point to come out and enjoy some authentic bluegrass. The lineup for musicians includes: Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Jimmy Stone and the Southland Boys, and Homeboy Reunion.

The featured food for the event will be a tasty array of different barbeque vendors, all independent.

'There will be vendors from all over the Lowcountry, possibly even the whole state,' says Benthall.

In addition to vendors selling barbecue, there will also be a barbecue cook-off involving several different categories, such as best ribs and best chicken. Judges will announce the winners at 4 p.m. Ice cold beverages, including Budweiser beer, will also be available.

Besides awesome food and music, you may also want to check out the other parts of the festival, such as the celebrity-dunking booth. A continuous hit at the event in years past, the booth gives patrons a chance to sink local media personalities into a vat of chilly water. The proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross. Celebrity personalities that have agreed to participate include Ted Byrne from WTMZ 910 The Team; WCBD TV2 Anchor Brendan Clark; WCIV ABC News 4 Meteorologist Dave Williams, and WTMA 1250AM talk show host Rocky D. The booth begins at 12:30 p.m. and has always been a crowd-pleaser.

Also, look forward to the bull-riding competition, sponsored by WTAT Fox24. Your kids will love the jump castles and other carnival-themed attractions, and the whole event finishes with a fireworks show after the sun goes down.

Headlining act Ricky Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, are scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. Skaggs, known as the ambassador of bluegrass music, has been playing music for nearly fifty years.

'This is the kind of music I've played all my life,' says Skaggs. 'I worked with Emmy Lou Harris in 1978, then got a record deal when I came to Tennessee and did a lot of country music. But when country started moving more toward pop, I returned to bluegrass. Those are my roots.'

Skaggs' first solo album comes out this September, titled 'Songs my Dad Loved.'

The album is a tribute to the musician's father, whom he credits for teaching him to love music.

'I've been playing music since I was about five,' Skaggs said. 'Bluegrass music is really about something, it's about real-life situations. I've always loved it for its passion and drive. And it's always been rooted in musicians who truly love to play the instruments.'

Skaggs and the band have enjoyed success in Charleston before, with 2003's disc, 'Live at the Charleston Music Hall.' 'I'm definitely bringing my camera when I come this time,' he laughs. 'I've been to Boone Hall just once before, as a tourist, and I'm really looking forward to visiting again and having the chance to play there. I'm also looking forward to listening to the Carolina Chocolate Drops again, they're a cool group.'

As up-and-comers in the bluegrass scene, the Drops, scheduled to play at 6 p.m., also take tradition seriously. The trio originally met in 2005, at the Black Banjo Gathering in Boone, N.C.

'It'll be great to shake Ricky Skagg's hand again, especially in Charleston,' says Drops member Dom Flemons. 'And you just can't beat barbecue, it's obviously going to be a good thing.'

More information

How much: Tickets to the event can be purchased ahead of time for $20 at boonehallplantation.com or in person at Boone Hall Farms. You can also get them at the gate for $25.

When: noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6

Address: 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant.

Phone: 216-1032

Etc: "Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, but no coolers please," says Rick Benthall. "And if you have a large group, we're also offering tables for rental."