Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off. BBQ & Bands at the Beach

The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off happening at Main Beach in Fernandina August 23-24, 2013, is a free admission, 2-day BBQ competition featuring six bands and performers. Boston’s former lead singer, Fran Cosmo, is the headline performer this year. Tasty BBQ from competitors available for purchase.

BBQ Team, Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off, Main Beach
BBQ Team, Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off, Main Beach
The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off happening August 23-24, 2013 at Main Beach in Fernandina, is a free admission, 2-day BBQ competition featuring live musical entertainment from six bands and performers. Tasty barbecue from some of the top competitors in the nation is also available for purchase.

BANDS AT THE BEACH: MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

At 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013 Jimmy Parrish & The Ocean Waves Band will start things off, followed by Orlando-based ‘80s and ‘90s rock cover band Rockit Fly from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, August 24, 2013 the live music begins at 1 p.m. with Island Vibe, local favorite Face for Radio plays at 2:30 p.m., and the Beech Street Blues Band plays 4-5 p.m. At 7 p.m., Boston’s former lead singer, Fran Cosmo, will take the stage to perform many of Boston’s greatest hits, as well as newer hits from the 2006 album “Alien.”

WATCH VIDEO FILMED AT LAST PREVIOUS COOK-OFF EVENT

The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off will open to the public starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 23 and 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24. The cook-off features around 60 professional and backyard (amateur) teams. Several of the professional teams are traveling to Amelia Island from across the country. Each team will prepare a variety of barbecue entrees, including chicken, ribs, pork, brisket and more, as they compete for more than $20,000 in prize money and trophies.

In 2013, the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off will be one of just 12 high-profile Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned events to participate in the Smithfield® Rib Super Series. The Smithfield® Rib Super Series is a points chase competition with bonus money payouts for the top three finalists in the Ribs category, at each contest, and overall. All professional participating teams will also receive two complimentary racks of Smithfield Spareribs to use as their turn-in or for experimentation.

Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase food and drink from various vendors throughout the day. Kids of all ages can enjoy the Kid’s Zone with fun and exciting games, such as laser maze and human hamster ball races. The 2013 event features the Turner Ace Hardware People’s Choice Contest, in which teams will compete for the public’s vote. From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, guests can purchase a $10 wristband allowing them to sample barbecue from all participating teams and then vote for their favorite. A limited number of wristbands will be sold and are available at the information tent (and sold out quickly last year).

Photo VIP Bar, Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off
VIP Bar, Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off
Attendees at the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off can also enjoy the VIP Pig Pub with shaded tables and bar seating, fans, cold beverages and a great view of the stage. There is a $5 per day cover charge and guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter the VIP Pig Pub.

For more information about the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off visit www.gstailgatecookoff.com.

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Sponsors for the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off include Arlington Toyota, Residence Inn – Amelia Island, Tailgater Monthly, Publix, Vystar Credit Union and Turner Ace Hardware.

Source: Press release, Amelia Island Tourist Council