VIEJAS HOSTS STATE’S LARGEST BBQ COOKING CHAMPIONSHIP OCT. 17

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 
Teams from around the country cook up a good time at free “Smokin’ in the Park” Festival

 

October 14, 2009 (Alpine) – Looking to spice up your week?  Viejas Casino & Outlet Center will host California’s largest BBQ cooking championship again this year in one of East County's most popular free events of the season. The “Smokin’ in the Park” BBQ Championship & Festival (www.viejasbbq.com) is back for its fifth year…bigger and better than ever. This year, more than 60 teams will compete for $23,000 in cash and prizes, making it the largest competition of its kind in the state.

 

Anew feature this year will be the People’s Choice Award, where event attendees can purchase a sample from various award-winning teams and vote for their favorite. This year’s event has also expanded to include two stages of live entertainment (featuring Los Lobos, The Texas Tornados and many more), multiple beer gardens, a kids play area, vendors, plus all the sights, sounds and smells a barbeque lover can handle.
 

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 17 in the Viejas Outlet Center Parking lot, directly across from the Viejas Casino on Willows Road in Alpine. The event and parking are free and open to the public.
 

The “Smokin’ in the Park” BBQ competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS), and the Grand Champion may advance to the 22nd Annual Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational in 2010, in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
 

Teams competing in the BBQ Championship will be judged in four meaty categories; chicken, pork shoulder, beef brisket and pork spareribs. Cooking begins on Friday night at 10 p.m. and judging begins at noon on Saturday with the winners announced at 4 p.m. Sample barbeque plates will be sold along with People’s Choice sample tickets.

 

All proceeds will benefit the Alpine School District’s Math and Music Program. The event will also feature appearances from Channel 4’s own backyard cook, Sam the Cooking Guy.
 

For more information on the event, visit www.viejasbbq.com or call 619-659-2070. And as always, event attendees will get to enjoy savings up to 70% at brand name stores at the Viejas Outlet Center.
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.