The South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival will be held at the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 from 1-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Attendees will experience a two day event that is packed with excitement, giveaways, aviation events, RVs, food & general vendors, and fun activities for the entire family.
Activities kick-off on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, with general vendors, food vendors, BBQ teams, static display of aircraft, tours of the WWII Museum and Airbase, an RV dealer onsite, and the kids fun area opening to the public from 1 – 10 p.m. Want to go ahead and register for the motorcycle events on Saturday? Pre-registration for Motorcycle events will be held on Friday from 4 – 7:30 p.m. in the Motorcycle Area. Southeastern Wildlife Encounters with our local wildlife educator and naturalist, Tyler Lott, will be located in the Kids Area. Tyler will have his LIVE booth setup in the Kids Area to teach children and adults about the importance of preserving wildlife and protecting nature’s creatures. Booth will be setup on Friday, 1 -4 p.m. with a special Wildlife Show at 4 p.m.
The Airbase Preservation and Development Committee is sponsoring an aviation flyin and static aircraft display during the Festival. There will be a fly over, tours of the WWII Museum and aircraft restorations, reduced pricing for airplane fuel, and much more! The fly-over is scheduled to take place at approximately 11am on Saturday, Sept. 8. Static displays of warbirds and a rare XP 82 Twin Mustang Prototype will be open to the public both days!
Don’t miss the free concert on Friday night – beginning at 6pm with REAL radio with Matt Baldridge, followed by The Creekside Band. At 7 p.m., KASON LAYNE will take the stage. Kason Layne has opened for artists including Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert and Chris Young didn’t hurt the single’s success any either. With a sound that blends all of their influences, the best of Southern Rock, Modern Country and classic honky-tonk, giving them a sound comparable to many in the “outlaw” movement of the 70’s.
On Saturday, doors open to the public from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with lots of activities taking place on the grounds! General & arts/craft vendors, food vendors, BBQ teams, kids fun area, motorcycles, cars, airplanes, RVs and more. The Southeastern Reptile Wagon will be open in the Kids Area for everyone to get up close to reptiles and other animal species. This wagon has no equal and was custom built for reptiles. Amazing live reptiles are displayed in exhibits much like their natural habitat. Attendees will not have to travel far to see these animals. This is a hands-on experience that is available with harmless snakes, alligators and tortoises. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., attendees can enjoy the FREE “Southeastern Snake Encounter Show” presented by Southeastern Reptile Rescue in the Kids Area and learn about the importance of our native wildlife and their habitats.
Here’s your chance to fly in a war time helicopter! On Saturday, Sept. 8, the festival will welcome the arrival of a Vietnam era legacy Huey helicopter. LTC (ret) John “Doc” Holladay, President of the Friends of Army Aviation and a three tour Vietnam Veteran, invites the public to come out and experience the opportunity of a lifetime by riding a restored UH-1H Huey helicopter. This experience will remind you of what young soldiers encountered over 50 years ago. The cost for the Huey Helicopter ride is $60 per person and is tax deductible. Friends of Army Aviation is a non-profit 501C organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of US Army Aviation through static display and flyable Vietnam era aircraft.
Over 40 teams will be competing this year in the Douglas BBQ Cook Off during the Festival. Currently, Douglas will offer the highest grand payout with the Georgia BBQ Association and will be a double points contest! BBQ teams will be coming from all over the Southeast to compete for the chance to win some of $20,000 in cash and prizes!
Motorcycle Events will kick-off with a Dice Run 9 a.m. – Noon. Registration for the Dice Run will begin at 8 a.m., kick stands up at 9 a.m., and roll card turn in at Noon. Registration for the Motorcycle Show will be 8 a.m.- Noon with judging from 1 – 1:30 p.m. Motorcycle games will be 2-3 p.m. Awards for the Motorcycle Events will be at 3 p.m. in motorcycle area. While on the grounds both days, make sure you purchase tickets for the 50/50 draw whose proceeds will benefit the Coffee High School Band and Wreaths Across America by American Legion Post 515. The 50/50 draw ticket must be present at the drawing on Saturday at 3pm in the Motorcycle Area.
NAPA/Brooks Auto Parts will present their fourth Annual Car Show. Car Show registration will be on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. and judging will take place 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.. Winners will receive plaques, trophies and more prizes. Registration fees are $15 per car and $10 for each additional entry. Judging begins 11 a.m. – 2p.m. with winners being announced at 2 p.m. in the Car Show area. Plaques will awarded for Peoples’ Choice, Top 20 in Show, best paint, best interior and best engine. The Best of Show will receive a trophy.
No general admission for this two day event; however fees do apply for some activities. Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Douglas, McRae Coca-Cola, Country Style Ribs, Lancore Engineering, Broadcast South, Perry Brothers Aviation, Moore Than Graphics, WALB-TV, Southern Eagle Distributing, Georgia BBQ Association, NAPA/Brooks Auto Parts, Helping Hands Bikers, Douglas National Bank, Douglas Lions Club, ESG Operations, National BBQ News, OnMedia, South Georgia Shopper, and The BBQ Times. For more information, visit www.cityofdouglas.com/bbqfest, LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SOGaBBQFest, or call 912-383-0277!