ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It's hard to say which was hotter Saturday. The 96-degree heat or the barbeque.
Or musician Malina Moye's lefty, upside-down guitar playing, sultry blues-rock-pop fusion vocals, and captivating fashion sense.
But together, it all helped bring on the heat at the 16th annual Blues, Brews and Barbeque Festival.
"It's a premiere event in Allentown," said regular patron Bruce Saylor, of Fogelsville. "Every band is always good, and there's great food. It's a great place to meet friends and make new ones."
Saylor and friend Pat Richard ignored the drenching humidity often to get up and dance to music by bands like Blues Reincarnation Project, from Newark, Delaware.
Glenn Holloway traveled from Georgia to hang out with a Bethlehem friend this weekend, specifically to come to the festival.
Holloway waited in earnest at the Taste Smokers tent as a worker squeezed fresh lime juice over his order of loaded elote, or Mexican street corn, grilled then smothered with a creamy mayo sauce, topped with chile powder, cotija cheese and lime.
Folks listened to 20 national and local blues acts, including headliners Nikki Hill, Ghost Town Blues Band, Craig Thatcher Band (with Mike Guldin) and Malina Moye.
Pit master Jared Cole from Atomic Hogs BBQ, of Effort, gave a quick tour of the smoker used to make their sellout ribs.
"We use cherry wood, apple, any kind of fruit trees, because it gives a sweeter taste," said Cole. "Anything not acidic, otherwise it burns too hot and leaves a bad taste."
Rodney Riddick, of Allentown, was all smiles as he was handed a Road Hawg BBQ sliced brisket on a bun. It was the first time the group, from Dillsburg, Pa., sold their barbecue at the festival.
It was a steady line at the icy cold Banana Whip truck, and Taste of Puerto Rico kept thirsts quenched with its popular and beautiful non-alcoholic pina coladas served in decorated, carved-out pineapples topped with maraschino cherries and umbrella straws.
In total, six music stages were spread across the 600 and 700 blocks of Hamilton Street, plus North and South Seventh Street.
Breweries included Allentown Brew Works, Fegley's Brew, Yuengling, Bru Daddy's, plus sips from Tolino Wineries.
The free festival was organized by the City of Allentown, the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance, and the Allentown Chamber of Commerce.