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Opp ‘BBQ Bash’ set for weekend
Published Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The smells of barbecued Boston butts, chicken and ribs will fill the air in downtown Opp this weekend as the city’s Downtown Revitalization Authority (DRA) holds its first annual “Backyard BBQ Bash.”
The event will be Friday and Saturday in downtown Opp, in the parking lot behind Wachovia Bank. Teams will compete to see who can make the tastiest barbecue in the three categories of Boston butt, chicken and ribs.
“This is something we’d like to do every year, eventually,” DRA president Bart Boothe said. “It’s an effort to get people to enjoy downtown Opp and visit there more. We’re hoping to make it to where the DRA hosts an event every quarter, like our yard sale and the Opp Fest.”
Boothe said the idea for the Bash came from DRA member Brett Ballard, who had seen a similar event in Elba.
“I went over to Elba last year and they have their own event called the Soggy Bottom Barbecue Bash,” Ballard said. “They’ve been holding it for several years, and it’s just become a huge event for them. I hope that maybe we can build ours up, as well.”
For a single entry fee of $100, teams can enter in as many of the three categories as they wish. The ribs and chicken categories will have a first place prize of $200, second place prize of $100 and third place prize of $75. In addition, teams can compete for the $500 prize for Grand Champion — teams must participate in both the chicken and ribs categories to be eligible. A panel of judges will determine the winners in these categories.
All teams can also enter the “People’s Choice” competition, where each team will cook one Boston butt donated by Kelley Foods of Elba. Tickets will be available for $5, and will allow visitors to taste each of the Boston butts and vote for their favorite.
The winning team for the People’s Choice will get $300.
Friday, teams will begin setting up at 4 p.m. and meat will be inspected later that evening. Saturday, teams are asked to report to their cook sites at 7 a.m. The People’s Choice taste testing will begin around 11 a.m.
Boothe said most teams have already entered, but last-minute contestants can still register as long as they do so today.
“We’ve got space for 25 teams, and right now we’ve only gotten 12 or so to sign up,” Boothe said. “You can still register, but we have to know before Friday.”
Teams who still wish to register for the Bash can call Boothe at 493-2265 or Ballard at 334-493-8100.
Comments
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a wonderful idea! This will attract alot of people to downtown Opp and it will be a benefit to the local businesses. Why cant Andalusia come up with something like this? Earl and his cronies want to spend loads of money on murals and such...which does'nt do a darn thing to help the downtown merchants. Anyone here ever been to the festival held each year in Elberta? Evergreen just recently started one too.
Posted by catmoney (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Andalusia had a bar-b-q cook off that tied into Memphis in May during Mayor Johnson's first term. It was part of Spring Fling. I'm not really sure why spring fling and the cook off ended. Somthing to do with a beer tent I believe.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Catmoney...I remember the spring fling. It was held at the Cov. arena or actually behind it. I wondered what happened for it to be so short lived. Was it a lack of local support? What is the deal with the beer tent?
What could be held downtown that would attract a crowd? I think a cool weather month...such as Oct. would be optimal.
Lets see some ideas people!
Posted by anonymous1 (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll tell you what happened to Sring Fling...JERRY ANDREWS.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I grew up and lived in rural Covington County, I consider Opp my hometown because I graduated from OHS. I sincerely hope there are thousands of people for this event. It hurts me to say this, but there is no comparison between downtown Opp and downtown Andalusia. Downtown Opp just doesn't have the charm that Andy does. Appearances are important. I guess I just don't get the grief with the murals. As I understand it, no tax payers funds were used. It seems to me that if a city is trying to attract new businesses, industries and investors, it is very important to have an attractive environment. When I drive into Andalusia, I am very impressed with the downtown area. As I said in another post, my friends here in the Seattle area just go nuts over photos of Andalusia. Not so much Opp, I'm sorry to say. When I go home to visit, I don't stroll around downtown Opp soaking in the ambience; I do walk around the square enjoying the great restoration that is being done.
Biscuitsandhoovergravy, this isn't meant to argue with you and your opinion of the murals. I love Opp; once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat.
Posted by super (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well said, tidefan -
The Andalusia Spring Fling was destined for failure when then mayor Johnson placed his beer tent next to the kiddie games. The city spent thousands $ trying to make it go. The Spring Hoe Down took its place. The Hoe Down will put as many people in the Kiwanis building as any event second only to the annual CCEC meeting. Buses full of visitors arrive from several counties and cities bringing folks into town to enjoy the festivities.
Posted by catmoney (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I’m not familiar with the Spring Hoe Down. What is it and when is it?
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAtidefan...I appreciate your comments...they are not argumenative at all. I kinda like the look of Opp downtown. Especially the little courtyard area next to MD's cafe. If any of you have ever had the chance to visit Fairhope you know how nice a downtown can look. I use it as a measuring stick when I think of how I would like Andy to look. I wont hold it against you that you are a Bobcat either...but...I cant swallow you being a proud Tide fan. lol!
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