Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival set to kickoff today

MYRTLE BEACH - The Sun Fun Celebration of Summer ends with the fourth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival beginning this evening from 5-9 p.m. and continuing form 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Saturday, at Grand Park, The Market Common.

According to organizers, the family-friendly festival, organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will feature free live entertainment, wake board demonstrations and the Wheels at the Beach car show. The main attraction is the bar-b-que (available for purchase) and lots of it from food vendors to competitors.

Two cooking events promise to attract the nation’s finest competitors: Anything Goes contest and tasting on Friday and the Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off on Saturday. Both competitions will award prize money.

Here are festival highlights:

Friday, Sept. 4

Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 5 p.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only.

BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 6 p.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake.

Anything Goes Contest and Tasting, 6:30 p.m. until supplies last – Sample dishes from shrimp creole to homemade ice cream and anything in between—anything goes! $5 for five sampling tickets. All proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Football field, south side of the lake.

The Tams, 7 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy the legendary Tams, entertaining audiences for more than 40 years with a variety of music including the hits “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” “What Kind of Fool” and “I’ve Been Hurt.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. TheOriginalTams.com.

Announcement of Anything Goes Contest Winners: Anything Goes, Best Booth, Best Dessert and Best Sauce, around 10 p.m. – Come cheer for your favorite team as the winners are announced. South stage, south side of the lake.

Saturday, Sept. 5

Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off, 8-10 a.m. – Look on as the teams prepare their barbeque for judging of ribs, chicken and whole hog/butt. Football field, south side of the lake. Free.

4th Annual Wheels at the Beach Car Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Car enthusiasts can view more than 200 classic and antique cars and trucks organized by the Myrtle Beach Car Club. Vote for your favorite. Along Farrow Parkway. Free to spectators. Visit MyrtleBeachCarClub.com for entry information.

Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 10 a.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only.

Kids Zone with Meet-and-Greets with Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Carmen Diego (“Go, Diego, Go!”) presented by Time Warner Cable, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Bring the kids to enjoy inflatables and games and meet Dora and Carmen. Near the playground, south side of the lake. Free.

Wake Board Demonstrations by Carolina Wake Sports, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. – Witness thrilling stunts on Grand Park Lake. The free shows last about 30 minutes each. Visit the Carolina Wake Sports booth to learn about wake board lessons. CarolinaWakeSports.com.

BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 11 a.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake.

Rhythm Pirates, Billy Scott and Ceaser, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Concert trio features Rhythm Pirates, who have recent top 10 beach hits, Billy Scott, one of the top beach acts for the past 35 years, and Ceaser, a dynamic performer of beach music. Main stage, north side of the lake. Free.

Sea Cruz, 2-3:15 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. SeaCruz.com. Free.

Wheels at the Beach Awards Presentation, 3 p.m. – Did your favorite car or truck win an award? Who won the 50/50 raffle? Get answers to these questions and more. All proceeds raised from the raffle, silent auction and competition will benefit Special Olympics of Horry County. Car show stage, north side of the lake.

S.C Education Lottery Grand Prize Giveaway, 4 p.m. – Visit their booth to buy a ticket and a chance to win the grand prize. Grand prize winner announced 4 p.m. Main stage, north side of the lake. SCEducationLottery.com.

Announcement of Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off Winners, 5 p.m. – Learn which competitor will earn the Grand Champion title and which competitors will receive prize money. Main stage, north side of the lake.

Sun Fun Celebration of Summer Closing Ceremony presented by The Sun News, 7 p.m. – Join us in thanking all those who made the 2009 Celebration of Summer a successful and memorable one. Local artist Chris Butler will perform the national anthem. Main stage, north side of the lake. Free.

Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, 7:30 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy Beach Music’s Hall of Famer Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. Their hits include “Stay,” which sold more than 8 million copies and was featured on the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, “Little Darlin’” and “May I.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. MauriceWilliams-Stay.com.

Fireworks presented by Time Warner Cable, approximately 9 p.m. – Fireworks begin after the Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs concert. Best viewing area near the main stage, north side of the lake. Free.

For more information, visit BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016.