SCOTTSBORO — The picturesque downtown square of Scottsboro will be the backdrop for the annual Scottsboro BBQ Festival set for the second Saturday in October.
The one-day event welcomes award-winning pit masters and local barbeque gurus who battle it out to see who has the best chicken, ribs, pulled pork and dessert while raising funds for local charities. As the aroma of slow-cooked barbeque fills the air around, family-friendly activities are offered to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.
Set for Oct. 12, the Scottsboro BBQ Festival is a Kansas City Barbeque Society and Alabama Barbeque Association sanctioned event and features three competitions. The backyard competition is for serious grill masters who are trying to become the grand champion and the people’s choice competition is where festivalgoers can purchase a $10 ticket and sample up to 10 butts and up to 10 desserts and vote for their favorite. (Samples begin at 1 p.m. and ends at 2.) The Kids-Q is open to ages 6 to 12 years old to see who can grill the best burger.
Other activities include a Barq-Off dog parade, an official Alabama cornhole tournament, a car, truck and motorcycle show; a beer garden and art and craft vendors.
The Witches Ride takes to the streets at 2 p.m. for a bewitching parade where dressed up participants in creative costumes ride a bike or walk around the downtown square, spreading Halloween cheer and throwing candy to onlooking children along the route.
A free kid’s fun zone allows the little ones to enjoy their own special activities including inflatables, rock wall, cornhole, NASCAR simulator, euro bungy, pumpkin bowling, face painting and more from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. All activities take place on the Downtown Square, 316 S. Broad Street in Scottsboro. For more information, visit http://scottsborobbqcookoff.
