Eric Tessmer will be in concert and the inaugural Bell County Chili Cookoff event is set to kick off Saturday in downtown Pineville. Tessmer, a singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas, has garnered acclaim for his guitar work and has toured in America, Canada and Europe.

“Eric Tessmer is a Texas blues-rocker often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughn and known for his incredible live show. This performance at the Bell Theater Saturday is a rare opportunity you don’t want to miss,” stated Discover Downtown Middlesboro Vice President Ben Hoe.

The chili cookoff tasting begins at 4 p.m. while the Tessmer show begins at 8 p.m. in the Bell Theater. Tickets are $15.

Hot off the heels of the chili cookoff and performance by Eric Tessmer in downtown Pineville March 3, the first ever St. Patrick’s Day themed celebration in the form of a block party in downtown Pineville will be held.

Live music will be provided, headlined by Branden Martin. Along with him, Devin Hale, Jake Hoskins, Kyle Fields, Jade Robertson Band, Cory Evans and more will perform.

There will be a pizza eating contest, food and drinks, and a fireworks display — which is set to kick off at around 11 p.m.

There will also be vendors in attendance, including a vinyl store that is coming from Corbin.

“I think this is going to be an awesome event,” stated Bell County Tourism Director Jon Grace, at a recent tourism board meeting.

Grace stated that he and his board are willing to help out in any way to make the block party as successful as possible.

“We’re trying to make this an annual event. I’m really surprised there is no St. Paddy’s Day event in the area,” stated Josh Howard, one of the event’s coordinators.

The St. Patrick’s Day Block Party features free admission and is scheduled for March 17 from 1-11 p.m.