VERO LAKE ESTATES – The second annual North County Backyard BBQ Challenge will return to Vero Lake Estates this Saturday.
The event will essentially be a daylong celebration to all things barbecue and old-fashioned community fun. The day gets underway at 1 p.m., giving backyard barbecuers time to heat up their grills, smokers or other food-cooking device before judging, which starts at 3 p.m.
The event got its start last fall, after friends Scott Hamrick and Jeff Raynor started in on each other, saying their’s was the best barbecue.
The two decided that, instead of cooking up their own batches and have a taste test, they would throw a barbecue competition and invite others in on the battle.
Not satisfied with throwing just a community block party of sorts, the two turned it into a fund-raiser for local charities. Last year’s charities were the Indian River County Firefighters Burn Fund and The Source.
This year, the charities will include Harvest Food and Outreach Center in Vero Beach.
Competitors can enter barbecue entries in any or all of the categories – pork, chicken and ribs. Awards will be handed out to the top three finishers in each category as well for Grand Champion and People’s Choice.
There will be live entertainment, chance drawings, a waterslide (must be in swim attire), pony rides and a mechanical bull.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12, and includes samples of each competitor’s barbeque.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own beverages and chairs.
The North County Backyard BBQ Challenge will be held at 9175 104th Ave., in Vero Lake Estates from 1 p.m. to Midnight.