Festival going back to its roots in 36th year

PAOLA — The Roots Festival in Paola will be celebrating its 36th anniversary this year with the theme "Gettin back to our roots."The festival, known for its music and barbecue, will take place Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23, on and around Park Square.Organizer and festival president Lee Mott said this year's festival will focus on local musicians just as it was when the festival began 36 years ago.The Roots Festival started as the Paola Community Roots Reunion, a potluck picnic in Wallace Park in 1990.It's been growing ever since, but Mott said this year's festival will have more of a small-town feel like the early days of the Roots Festival.Instead of a budget of more than $100,000 like in previous years, this year's festival has a budget of about $65,000. Mott said the festival hasn't been profitable the past three years, so organizers are taking a different approach this year.The change means attendees won't have to pay as much to attend the festival this year. Tickets cost $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday, or $25 for an advance two-day pass that can be purchased at First Option Bank, Great Southern Bank, Security Bank of Kansas City and First Security Bank. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate or online at www.rootsfestival.org.Last year, tickets cost $20 for Friday and $25 for Saturday, and Mott said he thinks it was out of the price range for some people, including high school students.The festival, which will continue rain or shine, is free for children 12 and younger.One of the highlights of the festival will be the East Central Kansas State Barbecue Championship.The competition will feature a maximum of 70 barbecue teams vying for winnings. The top 10 overall winners, along with the top five winners in each category, will bring home prize money.The BBQ categories are chicken, ribs, pork butt, beef brisket, as well as sausage. Winners will be announced around 3 p.m. Saturday.The grand champion earns an automatic bid to the American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship competitions.Last year's grand champion was Janky Leg BBQ, and the reserve grand champion was Munny's Stove BBQ.The Roots Festival will also feature arts and crafts, food vendors and children's games.New this year will be a cornhole tournament Saturday located just outside the gates on Pearl Street between Wea Street and the Miami County Courthouse. Registration starts at 4 p.m., with the games beginning at 5 p.m.Mott said proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Miami County Cancer Foundation and the Roots Festival Blue Moon Scholarship.The music entertainment will begin Friday at noon with Heartland Revival. Jason Gordo Gordon will kick off the evening lineup at 5:30 p.m. Gordon will be followed by Howard Mahan Band at 6:50 p.m., The Bel Airs at 8:10 p.m., and Friday night headliner The Nace Brothers at 9:30 p.m.The music will continue Saturday, starting with the Blue Moon All-Stars at noon. They will be followed by Blake Broockerd at 1 p.m., John Paul Drum & the Houserockers at 2:10 p.m., PopSkull Rebels at 3:30 p.m., Stone Cutter's Union at 4:50 p.m., Brody Buster & the Redemption at 6:10 p.m., Brandon Miller Band at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday night headliner Kelley Hunt and The 5 at 9 p.m.Visitors can bring their own chairs, but city officials ask that they not be set out until Thursday, Aug. 21, at the earliest so city crews have time to mow. It has become a tradition for many local residents to set out their chairs early to reserve spots. Guests can also bring coolers for food and drink, including alcohol. No glass is permitted. Weapons, pets, bicycles and skateboards are also not allowed.Gates will be located at the northwest and southeast corners of Park Square.Funding for the festival comes from sponsors, vendor booth fees, admission fees and donations. Mott also said there are more than 200 volunteers.