The 8th Annual Old Capitol Blues & BBQs will be held Friday, August 26, 5:00 – Midnight and Saturday, August 27, Noon – Midnight. Downtown Springfield, Inc., Miller Lite Live, and the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival are proud to announce Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-a-whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton will headline the event and take the stage, Saturday, August 27 at 9:00 p.m. Other Saturday performances include: The 44’s featuring Kid Ramos (7:00 p.m.), Eric “Guitar Davis, Brian Curran (5:30 p.m.), Hooten Hallers (4:00 p.m.). Friday night entertainment includes Black Magic Johnson (6:00 p.m.), Eric “Guitar” Davis (7:30 p.m.), and Treble Clef Palette (9:30 p.m.). On Saturday, August 27, the Illinois Central Blues Club will host its 5th Annual Blues Challenge, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Band and solo/duo winners will compete in Memphis in February 2012 at the national Blues Challenge. Whether you like your blues Chicago, Texas or Memphis style, your BBQ Memphis, Kansas City or Carolina style, the Old Capitol Blues and BBQ has something for everyone!

       Like they say, “Get A Room!” and make a weekend of it and stay downtown at one of the following hotels offering special event package rates which include two adult admissions and 20 food/beverage tickets:  President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, The State House Inn, and Carpenter Street Hotel. For complete Old Capitol Blues & BBQ and other “Get Away Package” specials visit the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau website at   http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/search/package_lookup.asp.

      The BBQ competition is smokin’ hot with rib, pulled pork, brisket, open, and dessert categories; plus an optional vendor’s “People’s Choice Award”. Winners will be announced Saturday, at 7:00 p.m. on the Neuhoff Media Stage (5th & Adams). Vendors present a variety of mouth-watering menu selections including: ribs, pulled pork, pork chops, brisket, rib-eyes, brats, chicken wings, BBQ nachos, kabobs, potato salad, slaw, fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler. Miller beer products, Craft Brews and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase. Food and beverage tickets are $1.00 each.

      The 5th Annual Illinois Central Blues Club Challenge kicks-off at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, on the Illinois Central Blues Club (ICBC) stage, (near 4th and Washington Street entrance). Bands, solo and duo acts compete for the opportunity to represent the ICBC at the 2012 Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information and band schedule, contact Mark Edmiston, or visit www.icbluesclub.org.

      County Market Kid’s Zone presents a variety of free family entertainment and activities from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 27; including the “Ham It Up” Karaoke stage where everybody can be a star; Chris Camp, The Whip Guy; Brian the Juggler, Magic by Jim Percy; Michael Mayosky, Spinning Canvas Artist; Sunshyne the Clown, Tim the Twister, and SpringfieldMoms.org, craft activities. Children’s activities will be located on the South Old State Capitol Plaza and lawn of the Old State Capitol.

      Some changes have been made to the event layout in order to improve and address logistical and safety concerns and allow for expansion. Maps will be included in the event program and on the DSI website so guests can easily navigate among vendors, stages and children’s activities. The Neuhoff Media Stage will now be located near 5th & Adams Street. The IL Central Blues Challenge will be held near 4th & Washington Streets, and the County Market Kids Zone will be held on the Old State Capitol Plaza (South) and lawn of the Old State Capitol.

      Admission is $5 each day with children 12 and under free. Admission gates will be located near the intersections of 4th & Washington, 6th & Washington, 5th & Adams, and 5th & Jefferson. Underground parking at the Old State Capitol will be open until 1:00 a.m. and costs $9.75 per day or 75 cents per half hour.

      The Old Capitol Blues & BBQs is presented by Miller Lite Live, Neuhoff Media Communications, County Market, Downtown Springfield, Inc. Sangamon Valley Roots Revival, Illinois Central Blues Club, Recycled Records, Hanson Professional Services, R.W. Troxell & Co., Kerber, Eck & Braeckel, RMS McGladrey, WSEC-TV, Fox TV, and The Illinois Times. For complete event information, please visit www.downtownspringfield.org.