Boots, BBQ, and 40 Candles: OCTC Throws the Party of the Year

Owensboro Community and Technical College is celebrating a huge milestone this year. It's turning 40-years-old and the administration is planning a huge party and the entire community is invited. Truth is, endless local residents have ties to the campus and its history.

While I was never officially a student at OCTC, I did take WKU graduate classes there in the early 2000s. Plus, I have emceed and participated in a variety of events on campus. It truly is a key staple of Owensboro's tradition of higher education opportunities. Plus, the campus is beautiful.

The big anniversary celebration is called Boots & BBQ and expands on a recent tradition at the college.  For the last few years, school officials have thrown an on-campus party for students. Those parties have featured live music, fun, and food cooked up by President Scott Williams. Sydney Warren, one of the organizers of the event, says, "He gets up around 2am the morning of the event and cooks all the food for it."

I ran into President Williams at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's Rooster Booster Breakfast last week and he says he's going to do it again. Only, this year, with the public invited, he's going to have to cook a lot more barbecue. But, he assures me that he is ready.

Boots & BBQ is going to be a heckuva party that OCTC has earned. The college has been a vital part of Owensboro's educational growth over the last 40 years and the school has also been an important supporter of community events and initiatives beyond the campus.

Boots & BBQ, presented by Owensboro Health, is set for 2pm to 6pm, Saturday, September 26th. It will feature live music from The Blue Bridge Boys, Tailgate, Yellow Banks, and the OCTC Capital Bluegrass Band. The event is BYOC - bring your own chair. The stage will face the administration building and will have its back to the big lake in front of the school. There will also be a special seating section designated for veterans. That's courtesy of River Valley Behavioral Health.

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There will also be a Touch a Truck event and a Program Fair, which will highlight a variety of courses and trade skills offered by OCTC.

You're also encouraged to come hungry.  Boots & BBQ will feature President Williams' legendary barbecue. Plates are just $15 and all the proceeds benefit the college's Emergency Student Assistance Program. That program funds a wide variety of student needs and services.