BATON ROUGE, La. - eTradeWire -- The 9th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival will be held May 23rd and 24th at East Baton Rouge Parish Library – Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, from 11:00am to 8:00pm daily. The family friendly event is free to the public. It features blues, soul, R&B, gospel and Christian music, along with a Vendor's Village, a judged Soul Food Cooking Contest and new to the festival this year is a Mustard Greens and Cornbread Eating Competition.

The Soul Food Cooking Competition is now open to entrants and highlights regional favorites from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverage and Ices. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. Ten entrants in each category will be pre-selected by the Soul Food screening committee. Upon acceptance the entry fee is $20.00, $30.00 for walk-ups, if slots are available. Contestants need to bring enough food for six people the day of their judging. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Downloadable forms and additional instructions are available on the website. For more information call 225-802-9681 or visit https://www.brsoulfoodfest.com.

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The stage lineup is expected to include Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room. All-stars include Ervin "Maestro" Foster and the My Better Half Band, King Solomon, Princess Teha and Kelton ' Nspire Harper. New to the festival this year is Southern Blues man Adam Gabriel and jazz guitarist Rodney Gipson from Chicago. Returning favorites include Gospel singer Xavie Shorts, Soul singer Uncle Chess and Lisa Harris with her Tina Turner Tribute. More acts will be announced closer to the date.

A Pre-party will be held on Thursday, May 21 at Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room located at 2733 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 7:00pm midnight. Admission is $30.00 and includes a Soul Food buffet and no-host bar.

So get ready for great food from Louisiana and its surrounding southern neighbors, incredible music from local and national touring musicians and more at the Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, at the 9th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival!