HartFest Brings BBQ and the Blues to Tosa June 16-17

WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN, June 12, 2023—HartFest, a long-time staple of Wauwatosa’s summer festival scene, has a new twist this year: a judged BBQ competition, performances by some of the best live blues acts in the region, and an amazing food truck line-up.

It all takes place at Rotary Stage in Hart Park on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17.
Admission is free, and a portion of the proceeds benefits local charities.

The All Energy Solar BBQ Competition takes place on Saturday, June 17. Some of the area’s top backyard barbecuers will spend the morning cooking up their best chicken. A panel of experts will judge the entries beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and festival-goers will have a chance to sample all of the entries and vote for a People’s Choice award winner beginning at 1:30 p.m.

On stage, The Koch Marshall Trio and the Blues Disciples will perform Friday night, while Saturday is headlined by regional blues favorites The Bel Airs, with The Incorrigibles and The Mighty Ms. Erica opening.

The festival is rounded out by more than a dozen of the area’s top food and beverage vendors, as well as the Uptown Motors Car Show beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Badgerland Striders 5K/10K at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Vesta Senior Network’s “Shortest Run On the Longest Day,” a 0.621 mile run/walk, on Friday at 7 p.m. There will also be a Vendor Marketplace on Saturday.

“We’re thrilled to bring a whole new experience to HartFest this year,” says Traci Cain, Director of the Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District. “Between the incredible blues music and the excitement of the BBQ competition, there will be something for everyone at Hart Park this weekend. And come hungry, because our food offerings this year are top-notch!”

HartFest takes place at the Rotary Stage in Hart Park, 1190 N. 70th Street. Festival hours are Friday, June 16, from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.wauwatosavillage.org/hartfest.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.