Bluegrass and barbecue will come together Friday, May 6, as the second annual Carthage Buggy Festival Barbecue Cookoff gets under way at Nancy Kiser Park in Carthage.

A mini-Bluegrass Festival will highlight the Cookoff activities on Friday evening. The public is invited to enjoy two free concerts under the stars at the park’s outdoor theater as a dozen barbecue teams arrive, set up and prepare for a night of cooking.

The Bluegrass Festival begins at 6 p.m. with the popular local group Stoney Creek, formerly known as the Buffmeyer family. The group features Shane Buffmeyer on guitar, son Jake Buffmeyer on bass, son Erik Buffmeyer on mandolin and Courtney Voss on fiddle and vocals.

Stoney Creek has long been a local favorite, having performed at Southern Pines’ SpringFest and other local festivals and benefits. The group also has recorded a CD with traditional and original bluegrass music.

Taking the stage at 8 p.m. will be bluegrass and gospel group Blue Horizon. This six-man group from Montgomery County features Phillip Hearne on guitar and lead vocals, his brother Joel Hearne on bass and lead vocals, Rodney Haywood on the five-string banjo, Jeffery Greene on mandolin and tenor vocals, Tim Furr on fiddle and Michael McDonald, who runs sound.

Blue Horizon has performed for festivals, churches, weddings and benefits. The title track of their debut CD “Call of the Road” was co-written by members of the group.

The Barbecue Cookoff is a fund-raiser for The Arc of Moore County and its family support program, First in Families. In addition to the Bluegrass Festival, other activities on Friday evening will include the arrival and setup of cooker teams and a Showmanship and People’s Choice Award for best booth. The Carthage Fire Department will offer hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream for sale.

The event culminates on Saturday, May 7, with the judging of the cooked pigs at 10 a.m. at Kiser Park, and the sale of the barbecue in sandwiches or in bulk at The Arc’s booth on the courthouse square during the Carthage Buggy Festival. Cookoff barbecue will be available all day during the Buggy Festival and Saturday evening during the festival street dance.

The Arc of Moore County is a non-profit United Way agency providing services and support to children and adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities and their families.

In addition to First in Families, The Arc provides respite care, social and recreational programs, advocacy, information and referral services in Moore and four surrounding counties.