Bayou BBQ Bash slated for July 22-23

The fifth annual Bayou BBQ Bash will take place July 22-23, rain or shine, under the U.S. 90 bridge in downtown Morgan City.
The event, held at the corner of Second and Greenwood streets, is a BCA Sanctioned State Championship BBQ Competition.
In addition to the competitive teams, locals can get in on the action. There will also be a Corporate Cooking Team Throw-Down Challenge for bragging rights as the best corporate company cooking team in St. Mary Parish and a local competition to name the top St. Mary Parish BBQ Team that anyone can enter.
The cost to enter is $165 for competitive and local teams and $250 for corporate teams.
Also, on July 23, there will be barbecue competitions for children. Known as the Cannata’s Kids Q, children compete in two divisions: 13 -17 years old will cook chicken legs and 12 years & under will cook pork chops. Entry fee is $20. For additional information and rules visit www.stmarychamber.com or www.cajuncoast.com/bbqbash to download an entry form.
There will be a Business After Hours where the public can meet the cooks and sample their fare. The event will be held July 21, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Morgan City to kick off this event.
On Friday, July 22, there will be a live musical performance by Déjà Vu from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. In between sets, Old Soul, will take the stage. Live music continues Saturday, July 23, at noon when Jezebels Chilln takes the stage until 4 p.m. Hal Bruni and the Branded will close out the event, performing from 4 p.m. to 8 pm.
Also on Friday, arts & crafts booths will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and food, drink and beer booths will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, arts & crafts booths are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and live music continues.
There will be food, soft drinks and beer booths selling a variety of items Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Vendors include East Gate BBQ, the Smokehouse, X-Treme Sports, Cindy Lou’s Bayou Bistro and Casa Veracruz.
An awards ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
This contest is a Barbecue Competitors Alliance competition. BCA rules can be found at http://bcabbq.org.
The Grand Champion wins an exclusive 10 karat gold ring designed by Len Klutts and donated by Klutts Jewelers, located at 924 Seventh Street in Morgan City.
“The ring is valued at $1,400,” Klutts said. “It can be viewed at Klutts Jewelers, across from Joe’s Boots. The side features of the ring include ‘5th Annual BBQ Champ’ and crested fire and meat cleavers. The top features an image of the traveling championship barbecue trophy which debuted last year, Klutts said.
St. Mary Chamber of Commerce President Donna Meyer said that while the championship trophy travels each year, “the addition of the championship ring will make the event more personal for this year’s winner, and we thank our chamber member Len Klutts for this generous prize donation.”
This event is organized by the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or entry forms contact 985-384-3830, visit www.stmarychamber.com. or www.cajuncoast.com/bbqbash.