The "Peg Leg" Howell BBQ & Blues Festival

About the event

The City of Eatonton invites you to enjoy a full day of authentic BBQ and incredible blues music at The “Peg Leg” Howell BBQ & Blues Festival. This free-admission community celebration takes place at the Eatonton City Center Stage, located behind Barrel 118, 118 N. Jefferson Avenue, in Downtown Eatonton. Bring your lawn chairs, coolers, and friends for a relaxed day of live performances honoring Eatonton’s rich musical heritage.

Dates

May 01, 2027 · 2:00 PM - May 01, 2027 · 10:00 PM(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Location

Eatonton City Center Stage

124 N Jefferson Ave, Eatonton, Georgia 31024-1020, United States

Directions

Parking instructions

Free on street parking available for guests. Bands will park in the parking lot next to the stage.

Sponsors

Interested in applying:

1 active application

BBQ & Blues Festival Sponsorship

Deadline: Apr 17, 2027

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Thank you for your interest in being part of this great event in Eatonton, Georgia!

The City of Eatonton and Eatonton Main Street will be hosting The “Peg Leg” Howell BBQ & Blues Festival on Saturday, May 1, 2027 from 2:00pm until 10:00pm. This will be the sixth year that this event has taken place, and it has considerably grown during that time.

The City of Eatonton and Eatonton Main Street are very excited to offer this fun, safe event to the residents and guests of Eatonton. We hope your business can be part of this signature event.

About "Peg Leg" Howell

Joshua Barnes Howell, known as “Peg Leg” Howell was born in Eatonton, Georgia on March 5, 1888.
At age 21, he taught himself how to play guitar.
At age 35, he moved to Atlanta and played on the street corners mainly around Decatur Street.
At age 38, he was recorded for the first time by Columbia Records. The song, “New Prison Blues,” was written while Howell was in prison.
Also, the song was the first country blues record to be issued by Columbia Records.
Howell died in Atlanta in 1966 at the age of 78.

Previous Performers

The “Peg Leg” Howell BBQ & Blues Festival has become known for having high-quality, entertaining bands. Below is a list of the bands that have previously performed at the event.
Atlanta Blues Grinders (2025)
Black Koffee (2023)
Blak Peark (2025)
Cannonball Red & the Head Hunters (2024)
DraKarr & An Experience (2024)

Highway 54 Band (2026)
Hughes Taylor (2022)
J-Wonn (2024 & 2026)
Jay Morris Group (2025)

Jay Wingfield & The Blaq Berry Band (2026)
John Dunn & the Jazzman Band (2022)
John Emil (2023)

Marcella Jones & Brown Liquor Band (2026)
Ray Howard Band (2025)
Red Sugar Blues (2022)
Roofdog (2025)

Shae Nycole (2026)
Stan Butler & the 478 Band (2022)
TG Live (2023)
The Stonewall Willie Band (2022)
The Trouble Tones (2023)
ThunderGypsy (2024)
West Love & the 478 Band (2023 & 2024)