HOW TO GO
What: Voice of America BBQ Bash, presented by The Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty will feature the first-ever Buckeye State BBQ Championship
Where: On the lawn of the historic Voice of America Museum, 7850 VOA Park Drive (Guests should enter the event off of Cox Road.)
When: Friday, May 17 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Cost: $5 per car or $2 walk-in. Bring a chair or a blanket. No coolers or pets.
More info: www.voabbqbash.org
Get ready to have a good time for a great cause at a backyard barbecue that is definitely not typical.
Today (May 17) and Saturday, May 18, The Voice of America BBQ Bash, sponsored by The Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty, is expected to attract 36 of the nation’s top BBQ teams from all over the country to compete in the first-ever Buckeye State BBQ Championship.
“Rotary was looking for a signature event to raise money for charity. Every penny that’s raised goes to charity,” said event chair Bill Zerkle. “Last year, we had our we had our first VOA BBQ Bash. This year, we’ve introduced the Buckeye State BBQ Championship and we’re very excited.”
The Buckeye State BBQ Championship has been sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and designated an official State BBQ Championship. Competing teams include area experts such as Blue Dog BBQ from Mason, Historic BBQ from Lebanon, Getta Que from Fairborn and Buckeye BBQ from Troy as well as national favorites like Full Metal BBQ hailing from Waterford, Michigan and Game-On Competitive BBQ Team reigning from Houston, Texas.
Barbecue fanatics of all ages are expected to line up for a few of the festival’s highlights on “Pit Road” at the historic Voice of America Museum on Saturday for a motorcycle parade and a 2:45 p.m. flag raising presentation. A stacked chicken, pig and cow trophy is the event’s custom-designed, grand-champion trophy, which will be awarded during Saturday’s award ceremony at 3 p.m. Winners will compete for up to $7,000 in cash awards and prizes in four categories: chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket. The grand champion will walk away with a $2,000 cash prize.
In addition to raising money for dozens of local charities, more than 10,000 visitors are anticipated to come together for the two-day, family-friendly even. About $30,000 is projected to be raised this for participating charities. Last year’s one-day event brought in about 3,000 visitors and generated $10,000 toward local charities.
“We are thrilled to bring a national event to the greater Cincinnati area that serves two purposes; one, to entertain people, but also to raise money for great causes,” said event co-chair Sandy Likes.
Throughout the weekend, The Cincinnati Blues Society will showcase many of Southwest Ohio’s best Blues acts including Leroy Ellington Blues Band, Blue Sacrifice, Chuck Brisbin & The Tuna Project, Them Bones, G. Miles & The Hitmen, among others.
A Kid Again, one of this year’s charitable partners will host the kid’s zone for the second time. The area will feature inflatable rides, costumed characters, live performances, a petting zoo, face painting, temporary hair coloring, storytelling and more.
Michelle Johnson, executive director, A Kid Again said her organization wanted to be involved in the Bash for a multitude of reasons.
“We are all about kids and families having fun, but this is also is a great fundraising opportunity,” she said. “This is an absolute beautiful collaboration. We believe it is going to result in success for everyone involved.”
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