Organizers said a downtown barbecue festival planned for this weekend in Ripley has been rescheduled for the spring due to an increase of COVID-19 in the area.

The 2021 WV Downtown Barbecue Throwdown originally had been set for Friday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16, but has been reset for April 22 and April 23, 2022, a news release said.

Festival planner Andrea Ball said the decision was made after consultation with local officials and sponsors. She said the announcement comes as concerns mount over increasing COVID-19 case and the delta variant across the state.

Based on current trends, the Jackson County Hunting Heroes feel that waiting until spring to invite barbecue teams across the mid-Atlantic and spectators the region to Ripley is in the best interest of the local community,” Ball said.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the programs of the Jackson County Hunting Heroes, which works to improve the quality of life for U.S. Veterans and their families through education, fellowship and building on tradition by providing recreational opportunities during their recovery and rehabilitation to promote healing and personal esteem.