By Shannon Edinger
It will be a day filled with food, music and fun when the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce hosts the inaugural “Pigz in Z’Hills” BBQ & Blues Fest on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The BBQ & Blues Fest will be at Charles Krusen Memorial Field at Alston Avenue and 20th Street, east of US 301. Admission is $3 and children under 12 enter for free.
BBQ & Blues will most notably have a BBQ cook-off competition with live blues music playing in the background. There will be professional chefs and backyard chefs from varying regions participating in the BBQ cook-off. Those attending BBQ & Blues will be able to taste the chefs’ BBQ creations. The chamber hopes to register the competition as a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned event next year.
Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, wants people in the community to come out and have fun. “We expect people from all over to come out,” Mikkelsen said. “For the seasonal residents coming back down to Florida for the winter, the event will be a good “welcome back” for them.
Other events include an antique car show, Kidz PlayPen activities, a Pignic on the grass or in the Pig Palace (the VIP tent) and vendors selling BBQ-related items such as BBQ sauce and grills. There will also be ice cream and refreshments provided at BBQ & Blues.
Mikkelsen is still accepting community and business BBQ cook-off team entries, as well as car show entries. There are also sponsorship packages available for participating businesses and teams. “Starting at only $150, you can launch your event,” Mikkelsen said.
The sponsorship packages vary in price. “The Squealer” is $150 and it includes advertising perks such as a sign at the main entrance and a listing in the event program. It also includes access to the Pig Palace and two guest passes. “The Piglet” is $500 and includes recognition and thanks over a PA system during the event, a banner and 10 guest passes. “The Hog” is $1,000. It includes everything in “The Squealer” and “The Piglet” plus more advertising perks, the logo on event T-shirts and 15 guest passes.
Mikkelsen is optimistic that it will be a great event for years to come.
For more information, contact Vonnie Mikkelsen at (813) 782-1913, or e-mail .
