ABBEVILLE — The rustling of fallen leaves on the street and the smell of barbecue cooking were some of the signs that this weekend was the time for Abbeville’s annual Piedmont Blues and Hash Bash.

According to the festival Web site, the event celebrates the “great folklife South Carolina traditions” of Piedmont blues music, hash and slow-smoked barbecue.

In it’s third year, the two-day bash, which began Friday, drew many visitors and vendors to downtown Abbeville Saturday.

The festival, which takes place each October, showcased barbecue cooks from around the state, many of whom vied for various titles in cooking competitions. The contest, judged by a panel of South Carolina Barbeque Association certified judges, produced winners from the categories of Boston butts, ribs and hash.

The festival also offered live music from the main stage at the end of Main Street. Musicians such as Think Twice, Local Forecast and Hazen Bannister and his band featuring Paul Riddle from the Marshall Tucker Band filled the air with blues music.

Steve and Kathy Drummond of Smoky D’s barbecue in Greenwood were among the vendors in attendance.

“It’s just a fun way to raise money and a great opportunity to come out and have a good time,” Kathy Drummond said Saturday. “Normally the festival is held on the square. This year it was relocated to (the upper part of Main Street) because of the celebration for the Opera House’s anniversary. It’s just as much fun no matter where it’s held.”

The Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce plans and organizes the Piedmont Blues and Hash Bash.