HILLSBORO, Ind. — The members of the Hillsboro Booster Club know what makes hungry people happy when they dish up their beef barbecue and side dishes at the 51st annual Beef Barbecue.

Water Street will be closed Friday and Saturday for dinners and entertainment that has made this Fountain County town famous for years.

“People come back,” said Booster Club president Mark McGrady. “They look forward to this every year.”

While the beef barbecue is the main attraction, bingo, music, a 5-kilometer run, children’s games and the parade attract festival attendees.

A talent contest and a dance contest on Saturday are other features.

The selling of beef barbecue dinners and sandwiches begins at 11 a.m. EDT Friday and runs both days. The Boosters brought back cole slaw last year as one of the sides for the 50th annual Beef Barbecue. Because of its popularity, it will return again this year.

A new attraction will be carriage rides around Hillsboro.

“A man from Waynetown is going to bring his Clydesdales and provide carriage rides,” McGrady said.

Proceeds from raffles will go to Rose Hill Cemetery fund, which the Booster Club has been trying to assist.

Gordon Foster, town council president, said the barbecue provides a gathering place for residents and former residents of Hillsboro.

“A lot of people go down there and see people they haven’t seen since last year,” he said.

Foster said the barbecue must be doing the right thing, as it is in its 51st year.

“It is fun,” he said. “You get more food than your money’s worth.”

HILLSBORO BARBECUE

-- FRIDAY

11 a.m. EDT: Food served.

5:30 p.m.: Hillsboro Citizen of the Year presentation.

5:30-6 p.m.: Auction of local cooks’ favorite food items; registration for baby contest.

6 p.m.: Bingo.

6-7 p.m.: Baby contest and prince and princess contest.

7-9 p.m.: Highway 341 Band performs.

-- SATURDAY

9 a.m.: 5-kilometer run.

9-10 a.m.: Registration for children’s games.

10-11 a.m.: Pet and hobby parade; tricycle, big-wheel and turtle races; balloon blowing contest.

11-11:30 a.m.: Performance by Fountain Central High School Royal Mustang Brigade.

Noon to 3 p.m.: Antique car, tractor and farm equipment shows.

12:30-1 p.m.: Registration for bicycle races.

1-2 p.m.: Bicycle races.

2 p.m.: Children’s tractor pull.

3:30 p.m.: Lineup for parade at park.

4 p.m.: Parade down Murphy and Main streets.

5-6 p.m.: Talent contest.

6-7 p.m.: Pick-A-Pocket quiz show.

6 p.m.: Bingo.

7-9 p.m.: Special music.

9 p.m.: Dance contest.

10 p.m.: Drawing for cash prizes.