South Sound BBQ Festival – Tasty Food For The Whole Family

south sound bbq festival
Winers of the wing eating contest will win a trophy and cash prize. Register at the event.
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* Editor’s Note – you have found the 2012 article.  The 2013 South Sound BBQ Festival is slated for July 6 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at Huntamer Park.

Few pairs are a better match than blue skies and sun combined with hot, bolstering barbecue on the grill.

Taking advantage of the match made in heaven will be the Lacey Chamber of Commerce, who will host the second annual South Sound Barbecue Festival on Saturday, July 7, in the parking lot of Cabela’s.

The festival, which has no price for admission to the public, was created in an effort by the Lacey Chamber to raise money, while providing the community with a fun, new event.

“The Chamber was looking for a way to raise money.  This event was researched and presented to the Chamber’s leadership. The Board liked the idea and decided to move forward with it,” said Tony Salas, the Executive Director for the Lacey Chamber of Commerce.  “Between a large number of Chamber members, sponsors and community, we put this together and it was much bigger than we were expecting, both in terms of revenue and the number of people who attended.”

Competitors may enter their premier recipe into any of the five separate categories, including beef, chicken, pork, seafood and any other barbecue food item.  The entries are cooked to perfection with the goal of winning a ribbon.  Spectators are invited to vote for their favorite contestant to win a people’s choice award.  An alternative fuel champion will also be awarded.

A group of professional barbecue vendors, including Big Daddy’s Concessions, C Dubs Rub, Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, Paprika Catering, Red Wind Casino, and Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ, will also be on site at the event.

Part of the festival will again include a popular chicken wing eating contest, sponsored by American Credit Union, with teenage and adult divisions.  The winner of the teenage division (ages 12-17) will win a $100 cash prize, while the adult champion takes home $200.

While this may seem like a full day of fun and food, the Chamber is expanding this year’s entertainment.

CenturyLink, who owns the naming rights to CenturyLink Field in Seattle, the home of the Seattle Seahawks, will be sending Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, Blue Thunder, the team’s drum band and also members of the Sea Gals.

An area for children, featuring a bounce house, big toys and games will also be on site.

“We really want the festival to be family friendly and have some entertainment for everyone who attends, all while providing a safe and fun environment,” Salas said.

Four bands will be performing throughout the day, including Nolan Garrett, The Lott Troubadours, Prime Time Country and the headlining group, Blues Redemption.

A cultural area, featuring the Nisqually Tribe’s Red Wind Casino, the Chehalis Tribe’s Lucky Eagle Casino and the Quinault Tribe’s Quinault Beach Casino, will have a salmon challenge competition for respective members of the tribe.

With new events and more publicity, the Lacey Chamber of Commerce is expecting an even more enjoyable festival.

“There has been more marketing, more word of mouth, and a lot of people are anxious to have it come back again,” Salas said. “We already have more participants, more vendors, more sponsors and more entertainment. It’s an exciting opportunity for us.”

This increase in notoriety may lead to national recognition.

“With the enthusiasm that met the festival last year and the way we expect it to grow this year and in the future, we will be looking to get sanctioning as a national barbecue event in the future, and make it a destination for barbecue enthusiast across the region and nation,” Salas said.

As all who love the style of food know, never underestimate the power of good barbecue.

For more information on the South Sound Barbecue Festival, visit southsoundbbqfestival.com or call the Lacey Chamber of Commerce Office at 360-491-4141.

South Sound BBQ Festival

Saturday, July 7

11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Cabela’s

1600 Gateway Blvd NE

Lacey, WA 98516

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