Randy Houser to Headline 2013 Riverfest

Country artist Randy Houser will take center stage at the 2013 Riverfest, an annual two-day barbeque competition and music festival held on the banks of the Tennessee River in Decatur, Ala. Set for September 13-14 at Ingalls Harbor, the annual Riverfest brings together pitmasters from across the country who smoke it out as festival goers enjoy live music from local and national acts, friendly barbeque competition, and fun and games.

 Hosted by the Decatur Jaycees, Riverfest is recognized by the State of Alabama as an official State Barbeque Championship competition and is sanctioned by, and conducted under, the rules of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Competing for prize money and trophies totaling $20,000, the BBQ cook-off is open to professional and amateur teams, and children between the ages of 8 and 18 years old are invited to test their ribeye steak barbequing skills in the Kids Q. 

Live music fires up Friday at 5 p.m. with a line-up including River City Junior Idol winner Ethan Thomas, country/folk singer-songwriter-guitarist Brent Cobb, country artist Josh Thompson whose debut album Way Out Here produced three Top 40 hits followed by headliner Randy Houser. Houser has received multiple nominations for ACM and CMA Awards, a #2 single in the form of “Boots On,” and songwriting credits for major names such as Trace Adkins, Justin Moore and Chris Young, but it’s his latest single, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” that will have the crowd on their feet. He takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. for a 1 1Ž2 hour performance.

The music continues Saturday at 4:30 p.m. with another performance by the River City Junior Idol winner Ethan Thomas. Awards for the barbeque competition will be presented at 5 p.m. with live music immediately following. Saturday evening’s lineup includes performances by Jessta James, Rollin’ in the Hay, and The Cadillac Three.

Along with the BBQ cook-off and music, there are food vendors offering barbeque from mild to fiery and other traditional festival food and a free children's area. Weekend passes are $30 per person and includes admission for Friday and Saturday. Weekend passes must be purchased in advance at www.decaturjaycees.com, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, or Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. One-day tickets at the gate are $20 per person. North Alabama area Subway restaurants have partnered with Riverfest to offer discounted tickets to Saturday night. Special Buy 1 Get 1 Saturday Night-only tickets are available upon request at a local North Alabama Subway. Children younger than 10 years old are admitted for free.

For more information, visit www.decaturjaycees.com or follow them on Twitter @ALRiverfest or like them on Facebook at Decatur Jaycees’ Riverfest.