Cooks will fire up their grills for a second year to see who has the best barbecue in these parts.
The North Augusta Sertoma Club's Hammin and Jammin barbecue cook-off and music festival is set for May 16 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. and from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. May 17. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.tixonline.com, Bi-Lo or at Greg's Gas Plus.
This year, chicken has been added to the cook-off, with pork butts and ribs rounding out the competition.
A preview party for VIP ticket holders will be May 16. A limited number of tickets will be sold to the public at the gate for $10, which will include a barbecue dinner.
Musical entertainment will be provided both days, leading up to headliner Buddy Jewell at 9:45 p.m. May 17.
Samples from each barbecue competitor will be provided both days, said Mark Stone, the advertising and promotion director for the event. However, samples will be limited and will not be enough to make a complete meal, he said.
"We also are having a People's Choice Award (for) who they think has the best barbecue," Stone said.
Entry into the cook-off is limited to 50 participants, and 42 groups had signed up as of last week, Stone said.
"Our goal is to provide a first-class cooking competition and to make sure (the cookers) have everything they need," he said.
Aside from the barbecue contest and musical entertainment, there also will be craft and food vendors. Children will have their own kids' zone filled with inflatables, he said.
Last year, the Sertoma Club raised about $15,000, said Dennis Murphy, event chairman. Proceeds from the event will go toward programs that the club partners with, such as helping individuals with hearing and speech needs.
"Expect a lot of good food, a lot of fun and great entertainment," Stone said.
For more information about tickets, call (803) 278-4849, and for more information about Hammin and Jammin visit www.hamminandjammin.com or call (803) 278-3677.
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
EVENT SCHEDULE
MAY 16
5 P.M. Gates open
6:30 P.M. Jaycie Ward
6:45 P.M. The Mason Jars
7:30 P.M. Carey Murdock
8 P.M. Solid Ground Bluegrass
9 P.M. Mountain Heart
MAY 17
10 A.M. Gates open
NOON Gabriel's Call
1 P.M. Restoration Praise
2 P.M. Rhythm and Class cloggers
3 P.M. The Mason Jars
3:30 P.M. Solid Ground Bluegrass
4 P.M. Mountain Heart
5 P.M. Barbecue cook-off awards ceremony
6:30 P.M. Rhythm and Class cloggers
7 P.M. Carey Murdock
7:45 P.M. Jaycie Ward
8:15 P.M. Jeremy Graham Band
9:45 P.M. Buddy Jewell
