By Cindy Peterson
10th Annual Firefighter Charity BBQ & Chili Cookoff Starts Friday
It’s a block party like no other with finger lickin’ BBQ and tasty chili!
The 10th Firefighters Charity of Central Florida BBQ and Chili Cookoff Competition will be held March 17 and 18 at Gator Harley in Leesburg, and will feature 40 teams competing for the best BBQ and chili, rocking live music, unique vendors, great food, cold beer and mixed drinks and an all around good time for a great cause.
The Firefighters Charity fundraiser began a decade ago and has since grown into one of Central Florida’s premier two-day food events. All proceeds raised go to the Florian Fund, to help local firefighters with major medical issues such as cancer and PTSD. Last year, over 2,000 people attended, with expected attendance to increase this year.
“We have a wait list for teams to compete” said Brian Gamble, President of the Firefighters Charity. “This is a great problem to have. Our event grows more and more every year, and we always try to enhance the fun by trying new things.”
New Shamrockin’ Craft Beer Festival Added
The event kicks off on Friday, March 17th with the newly added Shamrockin’ Craft Beer Festival, where ticket holders will be able to sample craft beer from local and popular breweries in the beer garden beginning at 4 p.m. The City of Mount Dora Pipes & Drums Band will set the mood while attendees enjoy vendors, beer, cornhole tournament, food trucks, and Irish menu and drink specials. At 6 p.m., Hypersona takes the stage for a free concert through 10 p.m. The Culinary Lab will host its first Burger Battle for Charity, where burger masters may enter their amazing recipes to compete for cash and prizes.
Know Before You Go
Arrive early and come hungry to sample all the teams’ recipes before they run out! If you get your fill of BBQ, visit the food trucks serving up burgers, corned beef, bangers and mash, phillies, smoked sausages, hand cut fries and much more. Wash it all down with a nice cold green beer or a mixed drink from one of the bars as you enjoy the music and vendors.
More information and tickets can be found at www.bbqandchilicompetition.com
Who: Firefighters Charity of Central Florida
What: 10th Annual BBQ and Chili Cookoff Competition
Where: Gator Harley Davidson,1745 US Hwy 441, Leesburg
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
