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Dana Point State Barbeque Championships
Friday, October 3rd
If you are the wizard of your backyard grill, then it’s time for you to head down to Dana Point and meet your masters. The 4th Annual City of Dana Point State Barbeque Championships returns October 3 to beautiful Sea Terrace Park. This event will offer melt-in-your-mouth delights with a smorgasbord of meats barbequed to perfection. BBQ teams will spend tremendous time preparing and creating dishes that will whet your appetite and satisfy your palate. Fans of hops and barley will be happy to know they can quench their thirst at the returning Beer Festival, a special section full of craft beers from independent breweries.
The City of Dana Point continues to do its part to support local charities. This year, a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Dana Point 5th Regiment Marines Support Group, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and The VFW(Veterans of Foreign War). The Dana Point State BBQ Championship will also kick-off the holiday toy collection effort for Toys for Tots. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to the BBQ to help underprivileged children this holiday season.
The City of Dana Point State Barbeque Championship serves as the West Coast’s biggest BBQ competition, with over 100 of the top teams from California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona competing for a slice of $30,000 in prize money. USA Today boasts that this competition is “one of the 6 must-attend BBQ events in the nation.” With reputation and cash on the line, patrons are sure to reap the delicious benefits of this heated rivalry. Start your engines BBQ enthusiasts, and be there to witness an epic battle in the categories of chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork. Not to mention, a special “Dessert” category is now part of the competition to sweeten your culinary experience.
A wide variety of beer stands will be positioned throughout the venue with beer by the glass served for just $6. Beer sampling opportunities will also be available in the Beer Festival area where enthusiasts can choose between the finest ales, lagers and stouts to wash down all of the BBQ competitors’ savory creations. Ask for the brewmaster’s recommendations to create a perfect pairing for the sweet, spicy and smoky meats available at the competition. Or, throw caution to the wind and conjure up your own coupling of food and drink to satisfy your individual penchant.
If you’re feeling a little weighty after all those barbeque tasters and ales, live musical entertainment will allow you to dance off all of those extra calories consumed at the festival. Stroll through the Vendor Village, or let your little ones explore the many kid-friendly activities and attractions.
Admission as always is free. You can purchase full plates of food directly from a variety of vendors or you may opt for $2 samples, if you’d prefer to fill your belly nibbling on a host of BBQ delights.
There will be free shuttle service for you and your group from Dana Hills High School starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. Complimentary parking will also be available along Stonehill Drive and Niguel Road, as well as at Salt Creek Beach. Circle your calendar for the first Saturday in October and check out DanaPointBBQChampionships.com for all the details.