BBQ Bash has some new features this year

The Bayou BBQ Bash returns this week, bringing the sanctioned barbecue competition back under the bridge in Morgan City along with some new attractions.

This year's bash begins with the annual kick-off Thursday and continues Friday and Saturday.

Master Electric Service has donated a championship belt buckle. It will take the place of the championship rings that had been crafted by Len Klutts of Klutts Jewelers, which closed last year after 65 years.

D.a.T. Sauce has donated a special prize for the grand champion: a "Golden Ticket" to the World Food Championship in November in Dallas.

Also, a "Dessert Throwdown" is scheduled for Friday night after the cooks meeting in honor of the "Cheesecake Queen," Mata Tellman. She died Dec. 31 and was the widow of BBQ
Bash founder Don Tellman.

Judging will be open to all for a $5 donation to the Marine Corps League St. Mary Detachment, which runs the Bayou BBQ Bash. The winner will receive the Mata Tellman Trophy.

Smokin' with Smithfield awarded the BBQ Bash a $3,000 grant, raising the prize fund to $8,000.

The annual kickoff event will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express, 704 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Morgan City. Barbecue samples will be available, and this year's Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival poster will be unveiled at 6 p.m.

Bill Goessl of the Marine Corps League said he expects about 50 entrants from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama for the Barbecue Competitors Alliance-sanctioned event.

Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Kids BBQ Competition will be at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Leon and the Hot Sauce will perform 5-9 p.m. Friday. JJ Starbuck will be on stage 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, followed 1-4 p.m. by Cliff Hillbran.

Food trucks will be available, and the Krewe of Adonis will run the beer tent.