3rd Annual Downtown BBQ Cookoff and Family Festival

Trinity Downtown is bringing back to the city center a classic Southern competition — bragging rights for the best BBQ in town. On Saturday, August 20, Trinity Downtown will host its 3rd annual Downtown BBQ Cook-off and Family Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Trinity campus at 123 E. Livingston St. in Orlando (across from the Orange County Courthouse).
The end-of-summer event features a BBQ cook-off showcasing professional and amateur teams from the Central Florida area, as well as a Kids’ Play Zone and live entertainment, featuring rising Country Music Star Johnny Bulford. To listen to his music, go to ww.johnnybulford.com.

Up to 30 teams of local grillers will face off in three meat categories — pulled pork, chicken, ribs — with the challenge of coming up with a unique and award-winning sauce, rub or secret recipe. They’ll be competing for $3,600 in prize money and awards, including Best Pulled Pork, Best BBQ Chicken, Best Ribs, People’s Choice Award and overall Grand Champion.
The 2010 Grand Champion, Uncle’s Kenny’s BBQ of Winter Garden, has already reserved a spot to defend his title.

The People’s Choice Taste Test will be offered in two seatings at noon and at 2:30 p.m. for a $10 wristband that will include pulled pork samples, baked beans, cole slaw and a vote for the best pulled pork.

A $2 adult admission will go entirely to IDignity, a non-profit that helps the poor acquire identity documents necessary for employment, medical care, food and housing. For more information on IDignity go to www.idignity.org.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Stumblers followed by sets from headliner Johnny Bulford beginning at 12:30. The Brew Crew comes on stage at 3:30 p.m. and will wrap things up with a break at 4 p.m. for the watermelon-eating contest and BBQ prize announcements at 5 p.m.
The judging panel will feature:
Chief judge — College Park architect Ed Thomas, a certified Florida, Memphis and KC Barbecue judge, along with 5 FL. BBQ master judges, and
Jake Vest – creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip That’s Jake and
a former Orlando Sentinel writer and columnist;
Heather McPherson — food editor for The Orlando Sentinel;
Marc Daniels – UCF Sports Radio / The Beat of Sports;
Eric André – Orlando Culinary Academy
Rob Rivenbark – Orlando Fire Department
Phil Walters – Orange County Sherriff Chaplain
David Martens – president Lake Eola Historic District HOA
Jerry Greene – Central Florida radio personality
Tatooed Bill Roberts – a local artist and proprietor of Graffiti Junktion

A family-friendly atmosphere throughout the campus will feature live, on-stage music and entertainment all day; tented area for dining; other barbecue, food and beer concessions; local vendors; and much more. A Kids’ Zone will showcase wet and dry games and activities to entertain children of all ages. Play options include a climbing wall, waterslide, pony rides, carnival games and bounce house. A $10 bounce-all-day wristband for younger children includes a hot dog lunch and unlimited bounce house admission.

The festival also will host booths from local charities and community and civic groups. Parking is available in a garage across the street.
Event proceeds will support the ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church — caring for downtown Orlando since 1919.
To register a team, e-mail mtmiessler@gmail.com and for general information go to www.DowntownBBQCookoff.com or call 407-295-6269

Trinity has ministries for children, Middle School and High School youth, and adults.