10th Annual Maryland State BBQ Bash Returns to Downtown Bel Air August 12-13

From the Bel Air Downtown Alliance:

The Bel Air Downtown Alliance is pleased to announce the return of one of Harford County, MD’s most anticipated events of the year: The MD State BBQ Bash. The MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, on August 12th and 13th where more than 60 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond will compete for $12,500 in cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN. In addition, more than 35 amateurs will compete in the Tailgate Challenge on Friday, August 12th to see who has the best ribs and will compete for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For the past nine years the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the Tailgate Challenge, have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead.

The MD State BBQ Bash features live music with local and Nashville acts, top quality barbecue and other food vendors, sponsor displays, crafters, various merchant vendors, the Bel Air Farmers’ Market, and children’s entertainment in the Little Piggies Fun Zone. This year, we are pleased to announce that we will once again be bringing Downtown Bel Air to the MD State BBQ Bash with our “Downtown Bel Air at The Bash” tented areas featuring a variety of our Downtown Bel Air shops, boutiques, salons, and spas. “If we can’t The Bash to Main Street, we wanted to bring Main Street to The Bash. This is a great way for some of local businesses to gain exposure and a great way for our loyal patrons to see just what Downtown Bel Air has to offer,” reported Scott T. Walker, Executive Director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance.

This year, the Maryland State BBQ Championship features 63 amazing teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond, but is being made even more amazing with the presence of a few “superstars” in the world of championship barbecue. We are pleased to announce that the following chefs/teams from TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters” will be competing: Tuffy Stone from Cool Smoke (Grand Champion, 2010 Maryland State BBQ Championship), Lee Ann Whippen from Wood Chicks BBQ, Dan Hixon from 3 Eyz BBQ, and The Lord of the Q himself, Myron Mixon from Jack’s Old South BBQ.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the MD State BBQ Bash, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance has partnered with Natty Boh Gear to bring in some of the most exciting and fun Official MD State BBQ Bash Merchandise ever! In addition, Natty Boh Gear is providing all of the Official MD State BBQ Bash Staff T-Shirts. “To me, nothing says ‘local’ more than Natty Boh,” stated Mr. Walker. “Natty Boh belongs to Maryland and makes everyone in Maryland feel like they are part of a unique community. We are extremely excited to be working with Natty Boh Gear,” he continued. Todd Unger, President of Natty Boh Gear, reports, “We’re excited about working with the Bel Air Downtown Alliance on sponsoring one of their many signature events in Harford County. The BBQ Bash is a highly regarded and highly attended event. We’re honored to be a part of it.” You can pre-order your Official MD State BBQ Bash Merchandise at www.nattybohgear.com or visit them at the MD State BBQ Bash. This year also features the Weber Grill Raffle, sponsored by Courtland Hearth & Hardware and Boyle Buick GMC Truck. There are TWO chances to win! The Grand Prize is a Weber Spirit Grill plus accessories and the 2nd prize is a Weber Performer Grill with accessories. Tickets are 1 for $5.00 and 3 for $10.00. You can purchase your raffle tickets BEFORE the MD State BBQ Bash at Boyle Buick GMC Truck. You can also visit Boyle Buick GMC Truck at the MD State BBQ Bash to purchase your tickets. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, August 13th at 7:30pm.

The MD State BBQ Bash is free for the public and has regularly drawn nearly 30,000 attendees for the two days of the event. The MD State BBQ Bash is one of the most anticipated and exciting community events in Harford County, with a following throughout the Baltimore metropolitan region and beyond. As always, the MD State BBQ Bash is being brought to you by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. The Bel Air Downtown Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Main Street Maryland organization dedicated to creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly destination in Downtown Bel Air, MD. So mark your calendars and make room for some Q! The MD State BBQ Bash returns to Downtown Bel Air on Friday, August 12th and Saturday, August 13th in the Mary E. Risteau State Office Building parking lots at the corner of Bond and Thomas Streets. Visit www.DowntownBelAir.com or www.MDBBQ.com to find out more information. You can also stay up-to-date on the “latest and greatest” by following the Bel Air Downtown Alliance on Twitter (BelAirMainSt) or becoming their fan on Facebook (DowntownBelAir and MDBBQBash). Bel Air…Be A Part Of It!

WXCY 103.7 FM MAIN STAGE

Friday, August 12th: Walk-Ins Welcome PLUS Nashville Recording Artists The Farm and Frankie Ballard

Saturday, August 13th: Whisky Train, Route 66, and Fiction 20 Down

Complete Schedule: www.DowntownBelAir.com or www.MDBBQ.com

2011 Maryland State BBQ Championship Teams