Cueing Up for Food, Fun and Music
This weekend brings the third annual Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival to the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. This two-day fundraising event is organized by the Parole Rotary Club and has expanded to include two days of music as well as a large field of barbeque competitors with names like Que and a Half Men and Aporkalypse Now. Last year’s event raised $30,000 for local charities.
The grills start rolling into the Crownsville fairgrounds on Friday, nearly 60 this year. The slow-and-go barbeque is an all-night process with secret recipes and techniques in play. It’s a craft and a passion.
With $10,000 in prize money at stake, contestants big and small, from near and far will be competing in four Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned categories: chicken, ribs, pork butt and brisket. A team of KCBS-approved judges will be voting for the top ten in each category, with top prizes going to the Grand Champion ($2,000) and the Reserve Grand Champion ($500).
If you want to test your palate and sample a wide variety of pulled pork, the People’s Choice voting is held from 2:30 to 4pm (samples available until 5pm). Special admission is gained with either a VIP pass or a special People’s Choice ticket (additional $10 fee).
Results will be announced in all categories at 5pm Saturday.
Daily admission is only $10, with kids 12 and under free. Roam the concourse, enjoy the live entertainment and inhale the smoky goodness. More than 30 vendors will be on hand with everything from grilled cheese, ice cream, crab cakes, snow cones and plenty of libations — including beer, wine and more.
Want to treat yourself really special? Advance purchase a VIP ticket ($45) and get reserved parking, shuttle service, People’s Choice admission, two beers, popcorn and all the water and soft drinks you can chug.
Come Sunday, noon-6pm, and move from stage to stage as live music covers the gamut of genres, capping the event with Dean Rosenthal, Sweet Leda and Wesley Spangler. There’s something for everyone!
For a full entertainment line-up, schedule and to order tickets visit www.barbayq.com.
Got a tasty tip for next week’s Dish? Email Lisa Knoll at [email protected].