If the thought of tender pulled pork and brisket being smoked overnight then lathered in tangy barbecue sauce and served up hot makes you start to salivate, then mark your calendars for the eighth annual South Sound BBQ Festival taking place on Saturday, July 7 at Huntamer Park.
This hugely popular event, brought to you by Lacey South Sound Chamber, will host an array of food, non-food and retail vendors, with spots still available for those interested. The festival will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will showcase amazing local businesses in the South Sound area.
There will be kids activities, a rock climbing wall, live music, an adults only beer and wine garden as well as the much anticipated barbecue cook-off and chicken wing eating contest. Admission to the festival is absolutely free with food and drinks for purchase.
Blaine Land is the Lacey South Sound Chamber Executive Director and says the South Sound BBQ Festival one of the largest community events in the summer.
“If you are a business interested in becoming a vendor, this is a great opportunity to promote your business at this local event that draws in thousands of Thurston County residents,” Land says. “The Chamber will be accepting new vendor applications until the beginning of June, but spots fill up fast so don’t wait!”
For more information about the costs associated as a vendor, check out the Chamber’s website, or contact the Chamber office by calling 360-491-4141.
This is the second year the Lacey South Sound Chamber has collaborated with the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association (PNWBA) to put on the infamous BBQ Cook-Off. According to their website, the PNWBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and enjoyment of barbecue in the Northwest.
The exciting event puts local barbecue connoisseurs and amateurs alike to the ultimate test as they compete for the best barbecue dish. Patrons can come and try mouthwatering samples from the contestants and a panel of PNWBA judges will select the winner by the end of the day. Contest winners are qualified to be invited to cook at national and world championship events.
The all-ages chicken wing eating contest also draws huge crowds and is put on each year by ACU (America’s Credit Union).
Food vendors who wish to sign up are asked to have some sort of barbecue related food item for sale and those that want to compete in the famed BBQ Cook Off can submit an application here.
Chris Lester, owner of The Tailgate BBQ in Tumwater, has been on the festival committee since the beginning when it used to take place at the hunting retailer, Cabela’s. It wasn’t until after Lester started his barbecue business almost six years ago that he became a participating food vendor at the South Sound Chamber BBQ Festival.
“It’s not about the competition for me, it’s more an opportunity to be out there with the public and provide some great barbecue,” Lester says. “I do it because I love to cook and I’m just grateful people enjoy eating my food.”
About 30 hours of work goes into preparing for the big day, from buying the meat, to prepping it, to cooking it overnight, and selling it the next day. Lester says he runs out of food every year.
Attendance only continues to grow at this free local gathering, with an estimated 15,000 people showing up to support local businesses and share great food. Lester says the exposure of an event like the South Sound BBQ Festival has more than paid off for his business.
“I’ve met people who I ended up working for on different occasions like weddings and graduations just because they tried my food and loved it, so it’s been highly beneficial for me to get the exposure,” he says. “If I had to choose one barbecue event for my company to do, hands down it’d be this one,”
So with free admission, free parking, and loads of fantastic activities and delicious food options, there’s really no reason to not come join in the fun at this beloved community event.
You can reach the Lacey South Sound Chamber by visiting their website, Facebook page, event page, or by calling 360-491-4141.
Stay up to date with The Tailgate BBQ by visiting their Facebook page or by calling 360-790-6003.
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