MOSES LAKE - Despite concerns expressed by some business owners last month, the Moses Lake City Council approved a request to close downtown streets for the BBQ Bash in September.

The council denied the request in February because some downtown businesses did not approve of the road closure. Third Avenue from Alder Street to Dogwood Street would be shut down to traffic for the two-day event.

Mayor Bill Ecret suggested the Moses Lake Business Association, which puts on the event, poll the downtown businesses to see if want the bash held. The results were very positive, according to new Executive Director Jasmyne DeBeaumont.

Of the 37 businesses surveyed, 29 approved of the BBQ Bash and street closure and six were opposed due to reduced parking space during the event. Two surveys were not used because of a language barrier. DeBeaumont said the six businesses opposed were open to working with the MLBA for other options including changing the layout of the event to reduce the space.

The BBQ Bash is scheduled for Sept. 22-23 at Laketown Landing in downtown Moses Lake. The event is sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association and will include entertainment, a car show, craft vendors and a kid's activity area. A $5,000 prize will be awarded in the barbecue competition.

Debeaumont said the MLBA is still looking for event sponsors and the board is still working on details.

Last year's event brought more than 5,000 people to the downtown area.

For more information on the event or the MLBA, visit mlbacares.org.