Barbecue at the Beach: 2010 Great Southern Cook-Off & Pig Skin Kick-Off
“It’s a weekend of football, music and barbecue,” says Gil Langley, president and CEO of Amelia Island, Fla. CVB about the 2010 Great Southern Cook-Off & Pig Skin Kick-Off. “And in the south, there’s isn’t a better combination than that.”
Scheduled for August 27-28, Langley adds it’s a great time for the event since it’s before the major kick-off of the football season. It’s that excitement coupled with the inaugural year of the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off that has created “very good buzz about the event.”
Over 50 of the best backyard and professional barbecue teams will be vying for top honors and prize money. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and a Florida State Championship event, teams will be competing in such entree categories as rib, pork and chicken.
However, not all of the voting is left up to the judges. Attendees will have a chance to mark down their opinion on which backyard team has the best ‘Q with the People’s Choice award.
While the competition is going on, attendees can also enjoy live entertainment as well as food and more from other vendors.
And if that isn’t enough, the event itself takes place on the Main Beach on Amelia Island.
“There’s only a very few barbecue competitions in the country that’s on a beach,” comments Langley. “The venue is spectacular. While listening to the music, attendees can look over their shoulders to see the waves crashing on the beach. People will have a great time.”
Profits from the event will go toward the Gator Bowl Foundation.
“As the event grows, it will be designated as a fundraiser for the Gator Bowl,” says Langley. “The area benefits so much from it, and this is our way to give back.”
Just the Facts
What: 2010 Great Southern Cook-off & Pig Skin Kick-Off
When: August 27-28
Where: Main Beach on Amelia Island
Time: Friday, 3 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: Free to the public, but vendors will be charging for their items.
Parking: On Friday and Saturday, complimentary parking is available at Atlantic Elementary School Field (map) in Fernandina Beach. On Saturday, in addition to the elementary school, complimentary parking will also be available at Fernandina Beach High School (map). A free parking shuttle will be running as well.
photo credit: Best BBQ Chicken with Simple Barbecue Sauce, flickr, creative commons by thebittenword.com
