The South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival will be held at Central Square Complex in downtown Douglas Friday, September 9, from 1 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will experience a two-day event that is packed with giveaways, FREE demonstrations, FREE workshops, food & general vendors, and fun activities for the entire family.
Archery demonstrations from Hoyt Bow Pro Archer Frank Addington, Jr. “The Aspirin Buster” will be offered Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Full Circle Wildlife Show and Display, presented by naturalists Chris Adams and Tyler Lott, will educate the public on the importance of our native wildlife and their habitats at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Wildlife Show is FREE to attendees.
Bert Deener, DNR’s Fisheries biologist, will present a FREE workshop on South Georgia Swamp and River Fishing on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.
Don’t miss the LIVE outdoor concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring KOA, Laney Strickland Band and headliner JJ Grey & Mofro. For concert tickets, visit www.rockdogentertainment.com.
While on the grounds both days, make sure you purchase tickets for the 50/50 draw whose proceeds will benefit the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County. The 50/50 draw ticket must be present at the drawing on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the stage.
On Saturday, we welcome the smell of a great BBQ competition back to downtown Douglas! Douglas is one of the cities the Georgia BBQ Association has chosen as a Team of the Year double points competition. BBQ teams will be coming from all over the Southeast to compete for the chance to win some of the approximately $14,000 in cash and prizes! Motorcycle Events will kick off with a Poker Run from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration for the Poker Run will begin at 8 a.m., first bike out at 9 a.m., and card turn in at noon. Registration for the Motorcycle Show will be 8 a.m. to noon, with judging from 1 to 2 p.m. Motorcycle games will be from 2 to 3 p.m.
NAPA/Brooks Auto Parts will present their 2nd Annual Car Show. Car Show registration will be on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., and judging will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Winners will receive plaques, trophies, and more prizes.
Let’s see who can call up a BIG bird! Mossy Creek Game Calls presents the 2nd Annual Turkey Calling Contest for all ages. Registration will be 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the contest starting at 1 p.m. in the Youth Center. The Hunter Safety Refresher Course will be offered at the CE Weir Center 10 a.m. to noon. Participants must have taken the online course in order to take the test on this date. The National Wild Turkey Federation will offer attendees to “aim and shoot” at their portable BB gun range.
There is no general admission for this two-day event; fees do apply for Friday night concert and other activities. Winners of all events will be announced on stage at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Douglas, McRae Coca-Cola, Aniston’s Restaurant, Rockdog Entertainment, WSWG-TV, Douglas National Bank, Georgia BBQ Association, Moore Than Graphics, Southern Eagle Distributing, National Wild Turkey Federation, NAPA/Brooks Auto Parts, OnMedia, Broadcast South, Mossy Creek Game Calls, and Georgia DNR Wildlife Division.
For more information, visit www.cityofdouglas.com/bbqfest, LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SoGaBBQFest, or call 912-383-0277.
– Submitted