If you’re bored and looking for something to do, head over to Second Street and visit the Brick Street Barbeque festival. Over 30 BBQ teams are competing for their share of $10,000 in prize money.

I’m not sure what the pricing will be like, but there will be food and drink tickets available for purchase at the event.

Brick Street Barbeque starts at 3 PM today and continues on late into the night. BBQ teams will be up all night cooking. The event re-opens to the public at 9 AM on Saturday.

July 3rd – 15th Annual Red, White, and Blues Festival – 6 to 10 PM – Music starts at 7 PM
Taking place at the Lafayette Hotel, there will be plenty of “blues, brews, and BBQ’s” to go around. $5 dollar admission to get in.  Bring your own chairs, but not your own coolers, mmkay?

July 4th – 5th Annual Marietta Wing Thing – 6 to 9 PM
For those that enjoyed the Rockin’ Rib Fest that happens before Sternwheeler, this stands to be just as good (if not better).  Also happening at the Lafayette Hotel parking lot, several local and out-of-town restaurants compete for several awards (and your taste buds).  Admission is listed as being $10 on the Marietta Times website, or $5 plus cost of wing tickets on the Marietta CVB site.  Also, there will be a wing-eating contest for those brave souls that want to tempt fate.

July 4th – Marietta Fireworks – 10 PM
Dodging all possible reason, you’ll have to head to the Washington County Fairgrounds to enjoy 4th of July fireworks.  Why they arn’t having them at the levy, where the Wing Thing is basically happening, I don’t know.  But if you want to see fireworks, it’ll cost you $5 for the “best seats to see the fireworks” in the Fairgrounds Grandstands.

P.S.  For those of you in Akron, the Rib, White, and Blue festival is shaping up to be pretty good.  There’s a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band in town tonight, and good ribs and food the rest of the weekend, leading up to the big fireworks show Saturday night.  There may be a $5 admission fee sometime throughout the festival, so be ready for it.