Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival in Westland, Michigan

BLUES, BREWS & BARBECUE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WESTLAND AUG. 1–2

· Westland’s signature summer celebration is back with two days of FREE live music, family fun, and mouthwatering barbecue

· Enjoy non-stop entertainment with 30 live performances, featuring nationally touring headliners Jimmy Vivino, Nikki Hill, Indigenous, Eliza Neals and Laith Al-Saddi,

· Friday night ends with a dazzling Drone Light Show, and Saturday wraps with a spectacular fireworks display

· New this year: Test your aim at competitive and social cornhole tournaments—complete with cash prizes

· Free admission and parking for all guests

WESTLAND, Mich. – The City of Westland is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival on August 1–2, 2025, at Thomas H. Brown Central Park (36601 Ford Rd). This beloved event brings together the best in blues music, authentic BBQ, and ice-cold draft brews for an unforgettable weekend.

From the low-and-slow flame of the barbecue smokers to the soulful sounds of live music, this community-driven festival is the can't-miss summer event for Western Wayne County and beyond. With family-friendly entertainment and zero cost to attend, it’s the perfect way to kick off August.

“The City of Westland is proud to host this year's Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival. This spectacular event promises an unforgettable experience, blending great music, delicious food and refreshing brews,” said Mayor Kevin Coleman, City of Westland. “We invite everyone to join us for a weekend of fun, community spirit and celebration as we enjoy the best our city has to offer.”

Blues, Brews & Barbecue features a stellar lineup of 30 live performances and some of the region’s finest barbecue vendors and food trucks, all in one location. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive selection of domestic and craft brews available in the event’s massive beer tent.

Friday’s event concludes with an unforgettable Drone Light Show, while Saturday’s finale is a mesmerizing fireworks display.

BLUES | Live Music The festival will showcase a diverse lineup of artists, including national touring acts such as Jimmy Vivino, Nikki Hill, Indigenous, Eliza Neals and Laith Al-Saadi.

School of Rock Canton/Farmington Hills will kick off the weekend’s performances on the Soaring Eagle Stage Friday night. School of Rock is a music school for all skill levels, ages and musical aspirations. These talented young artists will perform a mix of classic and modern rock hits, delivering family-friendly fun and great vibes.

Saturday features Sunny Bleau and the Moons, a Detroit-area blues band known for their energetic live performances and eclectic blend of blues, rock and soul, with influences ranging from Bonnie Raitt to Eric Clapton. Also featured is Aaron Benjamin, whose classic vinyl-inspired sound includes a mix of overdriven guitar riffs interlaced with soaring vocal harmonies. Attendees can expect a dynamic mix of blues, rock, R&B, soul and more throughout the weekend.

2025 Blues, Brew and Barbeque Music Schedule

FRIDAY, AUG. 1

THE BARBECUE & OTHER TASTY TREATS Some of the best barbecue in town will be featured by professional pitmasters, including Famous Dave’s — famously located in Westland and a returning barbecue competition champion eager to take home the top prize again. Also appearing is Westland’s own veteran-owned and returning champion, Chubz BBQ, along with Mr. Pitmaster, a family-owned business that has won numerous barbecue competitions. Festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of other cuisines and carnival favorites like elephant ears and deep fried treats, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate.

The 2025 Expanded Food Line Up includes:

Eureka Eatery (new)

House of Barbecue (new)

Marco’s Pizza (new)

Melt Down Creamery (new)

Chubz Smoke House

Famous Dave’s

Harvest Kettle Corn

Heaven On A Roll

Lori’s Festive Catering

Maui Mike’s Tiki Hut

Mr. Deep Fried

Rib King

Stick A Pig in It

ADDITIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Drone Light Show & Fireworks Each night will conclude with a spectacular finale. A drone light show will take place at 10:45 p.m. Friday evening, and the biggest fireworks display in Westland's history will light up the sky at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Brews | Beer Tent The event will feature a massive beer tent with a wide variety of brews to enjoy. Options include domestic beers like Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, as well as craft selections such as Golden Road Mango Cart, Goose Island IPA, Landshark, Kona Big Wave, and Stella Artois. Hard seltzers available include NÜTRL Black Cherry, Lime, Orange, and Pineapple Vodka Seltzers, as well as ready-to-drink cocktails such as Cutwater Lime, Mango, and Strawberry Margaritas, and a Lemon Drop Martini.

Corn Hole Competition New this year is the Wetland Blues, Brews and Barbecue Cornhole Tournament. On Saturday, August 2 the tournament will run from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. and is $50 per team of two, with two divisions, one competitive and one backyard casual. Teams compete for more than $2,000 in cash and prizes, including an overnight stay at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant. Want to show off you corn hole skills? Sign up at https://www.bluesbrewsbarbecue.com/cornhole.

Barbecue Competition BBQ enthusiasts can look forward to a barbecue competition, where the “3 Best BBQ'ers” will be awarded plaques. The first-place winner will have the distinct honor of having their name engraved on the City Hall trophy. Voting starts at 5 p.m. Friday and concludes at 8 p.m. Saturday, with the winners being announced on stage.

Kids Fun Zone The Kids Fun Zone promises a vibrant array of activities and interactive entertainment designed especially for children. Young attendees can look forward to exhilarating inflatables, creative arts and crafts, captivating magic shows, live music and more. With a wide variety of fun-filled options, kids of all ages are sure to be entertained and delighted. The Westland Fire Department along with one of their fire trucks will make a special appearance on Saturday, August 2 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Event Hours, Location and Parking Festival hours are 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday, Aug.1, with Drone Show at 10:45 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug.2, with fireworks at 10:30 p.m.

Thomas H. Brown Central Park is located at 36601 Ford Rd. The event is conveniently located on Ford Road with ample shade and easy walking distance from Tattan Park. Limited parking is available and free shuttle service will run throughout the day every 15 minutes from the parking lots at John Glenn High School, William D. Ford Vocational Technical School and Senior Friendship Center.

The event admission and parking are free.

Please note that pets (except service animals), outside food or beverages and soliciting will not be permitted.

Sponsors Westland Blues Brews & BBQ is grateful for the generous direct financial support from the following sponsors, which include Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, City of Westland Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Olson Cement Work, Inc., PPM Tree Service & Arbor Care, LLC, Priority Waste, Axiom, Wayne County Community College District, Westland Car Care and North Brothers Ford.

For more information, visit bluesbrewsbarbecue.com or call 734-467-7920.