DECATUR — For the past 58 years the Decatur Barbecue has been about community, family fun, country music and, of course, barbecued chicken.

In its 59th year, the Barbecue will honor all the traditions the community has come to expect as it continues to evolve.

The Barbecue will be held on a Saturday for the second year in a row, to make it more convenient for those with a Monday through Friday job to attend.

New this year will be helicopter rides and a golf ball drop by Arkansas Helicopters of Springdale as a fund-raiser for the Decatur High School Athletic Department. In addition, lifelong Decatur resident Leonard Truitt will serve as the parade’s grand marshal.

This year’s Barbecue will continue to feature the traditional Fun Run, children’s games, parade, car show and Miss Decatur Barbecue and Tiny Tot pageants.

Traditional barbecued chicken dinners will be served in Veterans Park, along with barbecued beef sandwiches and hot dogs. Local community organizations and food vendors will also be selling snacks and drinks during the festival.

There will be arts and crafts vendors, booths from local businesses, and professional wrestling, pony rides and bouncy houses to keep the whole family entertained.

And as always, the day will end — as Decatur Barbecues have ended for nearly 60 years — with a free country music concert under the stars.

This year’s entertainer will be up-and-coming country singer James Wesley.

For more information about the Decatur Barbecue Festival, visit the Chamber of Commerce website www.decaturarchamber.org.

Community, Pages 18 on 08/01/2012