Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival to feature lots of good grub

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Sun Fun Celebration of Summer ends with the fifth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at Grand Park, The Market Common.

This family-friendly festival, organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will feature free live entertainment, wake board demonstrations, free boat rides plus character and celebrity meet and greets.

Of course, the main attraction is the finger-lickin, lip-smackin’ good food (available for purchase) and lots of it from food vendors and competitors. And this year marks the first time attendees can sample delicious barbeque from all competing teams on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. by purchasing a $10 wristband.

Kids 10 and under can sample for free.

Three 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. Each competition will award prize money.

“We are excited about this year’s lineup of activities and pleased to provide a free, family-friendly event for locals and visitors to celebrate Labor Day weekend again. The chamber values its partnership with the Omar Shriners and offering sampling from the BBQ teams will take the festival to an unprecedented level!” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events.

Also new this year is the attendance of the Shriners Traveling Exhibit, which educates visitors on the multitude of services provided by Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international health care system dedicated to providing pediatric specialty care at no financial obligation to the patient or family.

Proceeds from the BBQ sales will go to this non-profit organization, as well as other Omar Shriner charities.

For $5, festival participants can buy five tickets for sampling ‘Anything Goes’ competition items on Friday.

In addition to sampling barbeque from the teams on Saturday, the public can purchase barbeque sandwich combos and dinners. Beer will be sold both days.

Here are some of the highlights of exciting events:

Friday, Sept. 3

Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 6:30 p.m. – Non-BBQ food vendors will be selling a variety of eats on the north side of the lake, closest to Farrow Parkway, along with select arts/crafts vendors. Most vendors accept cash only.

BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 6:30 p.m. until supplies last – Omar Shriners will be selling barbeque combos and dinners. Both sides of the lake.

‘Anything Goes’ Contest and Tasting, 6:30 p.m. until supplies last – Competing teams will serve sample dishes from shrimp creole to chicken bog and anything in between—anything goes! $5 for five sampling tickets. All proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Football field, south side of the lake.

Live Entertainment, 6:30-10 p.m. – Bring your dancing shoes, family, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed). Stage on north side of the lake. Free.
- The Necessary Band, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Coastrunner Band, 8:30-10 p.m.

Beer Garden, 6:30-10 p.m.

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. 4

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.

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

Beer Garden, 12 p.m.-9 p.m.

Live Entertainment, 12-9 p.m. – Come back for another great line-up of entertainment and dance to some of your favorite music! Bring chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed). Main stage, north side of the lake. Free.
- The King Biscuits, 12-1:30 p.m.
- Atlantic Groove, 2-3:30 p.m.
- Jim Quick and Coastline, 6-7:15 p.m.
- The Embers, 7:30-9 p.m.

Kids Zone, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Kids inflatables, games and activities. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable. Free.

SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Come meet SpongeBob Squarepants and Patrick from Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants show, south side of the lake. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable. Free.

Wake Board Demonstrations by Island Adventure Watersports, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. – Witness thrilling stunts on Grand Park Lake. The free shows last about 30 minutes each. Sponsored by Island Adventure Watersports.

Free Boat Rides on the Lake by Island Adventure Watersports, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Enjoy a relaxing ride on Grand Park Lake. Sponsored by Island Adventure Watersports.

BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 11:30 a.m. until supplies last – This year marks the first time attendees can sample delicious barbeque from all competing teams by purchasing a $10 wristband. Kids 10 and under can sample for free. Barbeque combos and dinners will also be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake.

Javier “Javy” Lopez, 12-3 p.m. – Come meet Javier “Javy” Lopez, former major leaguer with the Atlanta Braves, Orioles and Boston Red Sox. A three-time All Star, Lopez has career totals of 260 home runs, 1,527 hits and 864 RBI’s. South side of the lake. Sponsored by Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Free.

S.C Education Lottery, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. – Visit their booth to buy a ticket and a chance to win a new Chevy Camero! 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.