lifestyle
4/16/2026
Pending Review

Thomaston's Art & Soul Fest Returns with BBQ Competition

Thomaston's Art & Soul Fest Returns with BBQ Competition
AI-Generated Summary

The City of Thomaston is gearing up for its fifth annual Art & Soul Fest, a two-day community celebration that promises to be 'better than ever,' according to city officials. The event is scheduled to take place in downtown Thomaston, running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and continuing throughout the day on Saturday, April 18. A central highlight of this year's festivities is the Smokin’ Souls BBQ Competition and Backyard BBQ Invitational. This culinary event will be held at the Thomaston Exchange on East Gordon Street, starting at 4 p.m. on April 16 and concluding at 4 p.m. on April 17, kicking off the weekend's events. The BBQ competition, led by pitmasters Pat Conway and Jim O’Brien of Smokin’ Soul, offers a live and interactive masterclass. Participants and attendees will delve into the art of live fire and BBQ cooking, adding a flavorful and educational dimension to the annual street dance and art festival that brings the community together.

Mobile App

Prefer swipe-first reading?

Install the app to keep reading with faster loads and a smoother mobile experience.

Sources

Community News | Lifestyle | upsonbeacon.com

www.upsonbeacon.com
50%

THOMASTON ART & SOUL FEST: Smokin’ Souls BBQ Competition, Backyard BBQ Invitational, April 16 at 4 p.m. to April 17 at 4 p.m. at Thomaston Exchange, 208 East Gordon Street,

Community News | Lifestyle | upsonbeacon.com

upsonbeacon.com
50%

THOMASTON ART & SOUL FEST: Smokin’ Souls BBQ Competition, Backyard BBQ Invitational, April 16 at 4 p.m. to April 17 at 4 p.m. at Thomaston Exchange, 208 East Gordon Street,

5th Annual Art & Soul Fest April 17-18 | Lifestyle | upsonbeacon.com

upsonbeacon.com
50%

Thomaston’s fifth annual Art & Soul Street Dance and Art & Soul Fest will take place Friday, April 17, from 4–10 p.m. in downtown Thomaston, and Saturday, April 18, from

3rd Annual Art & Soul Fest on the Way | Lifestyle | upsonbeacon.com

www.upsonbeacon.com
50%

The City of Thomaston’s third annual Art & Soul Fest is on its way, and city officials say that this year’s event will be “better than ever.”

The Smokin’ Soul Weekender -

smokinsoul.ie
50%

Bring out your inner pitmaster at our live and interactive masterclass course with Pat Conway and Jim O’Brien from Smokin’ Soul. You will answer the call of the wild and delve deep into all aspects of live fire and BBQ cooking.

Fact Checks

Community Verified

Related news

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Signals Potential Breakthrough in Iran Nuclear Talks
www.foxnews.com
www.timesnownews.com
thenationalnews.com

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Signals Potential Breakthrough in Iran Nuclear Talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during a Senate budget hearing that Iran has agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program. While Rubio signaled a potential breakthrough in peace talks, he emphasized that the Trump administration requires Iran to accept severe nuclear limits as a prerequisite for any deal. Rubio clarified that the U.S. has not offered sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that such relief is tied strictly to the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Despite the preference for a negotiated settlement, Rubio warned that other options remain available should diplomacy fail.

#MarcoRubio#IranNuclearDeal#USForeignPolicy#Diplomacy
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
Trump Demands Written Nuclear Commitments as Iran Deal Negotiations Stall
abc7news.com
newsweek.com
ms.now
+2 more

Trump Demands Written Nuclear Commitments as Iran Deal Negotiations Stall

President Donald Trump has sent a revised draft of a proposed agreement with Iran back for amendments, demanding that Tehran provide specific, written commitments to prevent the acquisition of nuclear weapons. Despite previous verbal assurances from Iranian officials, Trump has insisted on tougher language and conditions regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz before lifting naval blockades. While the administration claims talks are moving rapidly, reports suggest a more volatile situation. Some sources indicate that Iran has paused negotiations amid regional clashes, and critics point to contradictory statements from the White House regarding the stability of the diplomatic efforts as a nominal ceasefire continues to be tested by sporadic attacks.

#Trump#Iran#NuclearDeal#Diplomacy
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
White House Correspondents' Dinner Rescheduled for July 24 Following Shooting
www.irishstar.com
www.cbsnews.com
www.indiatoday.in
+2 more

White House Correspondents' Dinner Rescheduled for July 24 Following Shooting

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) will hold its annual dinner on July 24, nearly three months after the original April 25 event was halted by a shooting. WHCA President Weijia Jiang announced the rescheduled date, noting that the event will feature significantly enhanced security and a different ballroom location to ensure safety. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who were rushed from the scene during the initial attack, are expected to attend. While the WHCA frames the event as a celebration of press freedom, some advocates have expressed concern that the gathering could provide the President with a platform to attack the media.

#WHCA#WhiteHouseDinner#DonaldTrump#PressFreedom
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
US Military Disables Oil Tanker Bound for Iran in Strait of Hormuz
wpde.com
bbc.com
www.iranintl.com
+2 more

US Military Disables Oil Tanker Bound for Iran in Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie on Tuesday. The vessel was targeted in international waters while sailing toward Kharg Island after the crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings and failed to comply with American instructions. This marks the sixth commercial vessel disabled by US forces since the implementation of the naval blockade along the Strait of Hormuz. The strike occurs amid a broader escalation involving attacks on sites on Qeshm Island and US defensive operations in Kuwait and Bahrain. The ongoing blockade has caused significant maritime disruption, leaving approximately 20,000 seafarers trapped in the war zone and prompting urgent discussions among global shipping executives…

#StraitOfHormuz#USMilitary#Iran#MaritimeSecurity
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
North Carolina Valedictorian Interrupted During Graduation Speech Over Unscripted Remarks
www.timesnownews.com
www.wral.com
www.dailymail.com
+2 more

North Carolina Valedictorian Interrupted During Graduation Speech Over Unscripted Remarks

Leen Hijaz, the valedictorian of Clayton High School in North Carolina, was interrupted and removed from the stage by school officials during her graduation ceremony on May 28. The intervention occurred after Hijaz deviated from her pre-approved script to make unscripted remarks regarding ICE and Palestine. Following the incident, Hijaz claimed her diploma was initially withheld, though Johnston County Schools later confirmed she has since received it. The incident has drawn polarized reactions online. Some critics praised the principal for stopping what they described as a political hijacking of the ceremony, while others argued the school's attempt to silence the student only served to amplify her message. The viral video of the encounter has fueled a broader national debate over…

#LeenHijaz#ClaytonHighSchool#FreeSpeech#GraduationControversy
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
Secretary of State Marco Rubio Says Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is Alive
www.al-monitor.com
unn.ua
www.theguardian.com
+2 more

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Says Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is Alive

Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that there are indications Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is alive and increasingly engaged in governing. Rubio noted that Khamenei is communicating through written messages and intermediaries, signaling an active role in the country's leadership. This update comes amid high regional tensions and ongoing nuclear negotiations, where the U.S. suggests a deal for sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear limits may be within reach. The confirmation follows reports that Khamenei was injured during U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on February 28, raising previous questions about the stability of Iran's leadership.

#MarcoRubio#Iran#MojtabaKhamenei#NuclearDeal
lifestyle
6/3/2026
Pending
Mobile App

Take Yomuyo with you

Download the mobile app for personalized headlines and quick access to breaking stories.