Blues and barbecue will flavor Pier 76 at free Hudson River Park music fest

They’re feeling the blues in Hudson River Park again — and, no, they’re not just talking about bluefish.

Hudson River Park’s free-admission Blues BBQ Festival will be back in person and live in the park this Sat., Aug. 13, at Pier 76, at W. 36th Street, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• 2:00 PM Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers
• 3:15 PM Jackie Venson
• 4:30 PM Walter “Wolfman” Washington
• 6:00 PM Bette Smith
• 7:30 PM Don Bryant

In addition to great live music, there will be savory barbeque and drinks from the likes of

• Allagash Brewing
• Archer Roose
• Big Papa Smokem Gourmet BBQ
• Blue Smoke
• Bronx Brewery
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• Jases BBQ
• JuneShine
• Kimchi Smoke Barbeque
• Sunday Beer
• Two Robbers

Speaking of the blues, the Hell’s Kitchen-area pier was formerly the site of a New York Police Department tow pound, denying the community access to the key waterfront spot.

Despite language in the Hudson River Park of 1998 act stating, “The city of New York shall use best efforts to relocate the tow pound on Pier 76,” for years the tow pound just continued to linger there.

But, responding to the pleas of the community and park advocates, Governor Cuomo, using the threat of massive fines, pressured New York City to move the police off the pier, then quickly transformed it into a temporary blacktop open space last summer for recreational use.

For more information about the Blues BBQ Festival, click here.