BBQ Bash continues tradition and adds new events

The sixth annual Bayou BBQ Bash will continue to feature cooking competitions in chicken, ribs and brisket categories, but organizers have also added a singing competition and will unveil the 2017 Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival poster.

Organizers will hold a Meet the Cooks kickoff for the bash from 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 13 at Hampton Inn & Suites in Morgan City. The public will have a chance to meet some of the cooks competing in the bash and sample barbecue. Door prizes will also be awarded.

The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce hosts the Bayou BBQ Bash.

For the first time, representatives with the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival will unveil the poster for the 82nd festival during the July 13 kickoff event.

The bash will officially start July 14 with the barbecue competition to follow July 15 under the U.S. 90 bridge in Morgan City.

The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce is partnering with KQKI 95.3 FM to host the 36th annual Country Showdown from 6-9 p.m. July 14 during the Bayou BBQ Bash under the bridge. The showdown is a country music talent search and radio promotion.

Acts will compete locally for a chance to advance to one of 30 regional finals, where the winner will receive $1,000. KQKI will be awarding cash and trophies from D&L Trophies for first-, second- and third-place, a news release said.

KQKI chose to partner with the BBQ Bash after previously holding the country music competition each April at the Cypress Sawmill Festival in Patterson. But sawmill festival organizers chose not to have the festival this year.

There will be a mandatory meeting for barbecue competitors at 5:30 p.m. July 14 under the bridge.

Bayou BBQ Bash Co-founder Don Tellman expects 40 to 50 entrants to compete in the July 15 competition barbecuing half chickens, pork spare ribs and brisket. The 2016 bash had 53 teams.

The bash’s grand champion will win a gold ring from Klutts Jewelers and be put into a drawing for the chance to compete in the Jack Daniels’ World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“That’s what brings a lot of these teams in,” Tellman said of the chance to compete in the world championship.

A few teams from Texas and Mississippi normally compete in the bash. Tellman confirmed that teams will be coming from at least as far away as Shreveport.

Tellman says the bash is a family event.

Up to 30 teams may compete in the Kids Q competition. Children 12 years old and under will cook pork chops, while ages 13-17 will cook chicken leg quarters. Cannata’s Supermarket will provide meat for the kids’ competition.

To download forms to enter the competition, visit stmarychamber.com.

The barbecue competition is a Barbecue Competitors Alliance sanctioned event. All cooking must be done on wood or wood products.

Organizers will also present trophies to the reserve grand champion, St. Mary Parish champion, corporate team champion and cash prizes to the top 10 finishers in each meat category during an awards ceremony at 5 p.m. July 15. Kids Q winners will receive prizes as well.

Immediately following the Country Showdown on the night of July 14, Lowdown will play with a guest appearance by Hal Bruni until 10 p.m.

Jus Cuz will play from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday followed by South 70 from 2-5 p.m.

Attendees of the bash may visit craft, drink and food booths under the bridge. The bash may have up to 70 craft vendors.