Pirtle Barbeque expands, games and live music

The Historic Pirtle Bar-BQue has for many years provided community excitement, as well as funds for the missions and ministries of Pirtle United Methodist Church.

This year the re-established event is kicking it up a notch, according to Rev. Dudley Plaisance. The new expansion, the church hopes, will translate into a larger crowd and even more fun, along with the same great food.

It all takes place Saturday, April 26, beginning at 3 p.m., and continuing until 8 p.m. Tickets are available, in advance from church members, as well as being on sale at the door for only $7 each.

Long celebrated as the premier barbecue venue of the area, the event boasts the "best barbecue around," Plaisance said. The special recipe, chopped-beef, barbeque sandwiches are heaped with meat on a huge bun. The plate is complete with beans, potato salad, all the usual trimmings and fresh brewed iced tea. There will also be the trademark homemade pies (available by the slice), as well as cakes, cobbler and more. Additional nearby parking will be available across the road. Also, shuttle service from the parking area to the church site will be provided.

The new attractions for this year will include inflatable bouncers and jumpers for the youngsters, refreshing and flavorful Charlie's Snowballs, the Made-Rite Company's Dr. Pepper Drink Wagon and more.

The really big difference for this year is live music. The headlining musical group for the day is bluegrass sensation Cadillac Sky. Ft. Worth-based, Cadillac Sky, is a band for the new minions of bluegrass lovers. Playing with a swaggering, rock-band energy, they attempt to forge a little new ground in a community that sometimes frowns on anything but classic songs and traditional instrumentation.

Cadillac Sky has toured extensively and has played in some of the top venues and with many big name celebrities. Country music all-star Ricky Skaggs recently said, "When I heard Cadillac Sky for the first time, I heard some of the freshest new music I had heard in a long time. They write all of their songs. Their vocals just killed me, and they have a new sound. I wanted them for Skaggs Family Records.

Music begins at 3 p.m. Cadillac Sky will take the stage at 3:30 p.m. Circle of Friends opens the music events.

The tradition of the Pirtle Bar-B-Que continues to grow. In 2007, Pirtle United Methodist Church celebrated 160 years of ministry to this area. The 2007 event was a huge success, Plaisance said, and a key component in the year-long celebration. Highlighting the history of the church and the importance of such traditions, it drew patrons from throughout East Texas.

Pirtle United Methodist Church is located south of Kilgore, just one half mile off Highway 259. Go approximately 3.5 miles south of the Hwy. 259 bypass and turn east onto County Road 146. The road ends at the church parking lot.

For more information and advance tickets, call (903) 984 6922, (903) 984-6689 or (903) 643-2841.