Hartselle's Barbeque Showdown Set for May 16-17

The aroma of slow-cooked barbeque fills downtown Hartselle the third weekend in May when barbeque connoisseurs meet head to head for a cook-off. Now in its fifth year, the annual Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-off invites professional and amateur grill masters to show off their barbeque expertise as festival goers experience the excitement of a cook-off and enjoy shopping in the historic downtown area.

Presented by the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, the fifth annual Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-off is set for May 16-17, 2014. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and the Alabama Barbeque Association (ABA), which qualifies winning ABA member teams for the coveted Governors Cup, the cook-off attracts competitive chefs and backyard teams from across the South who will be competing for over $4000 in prize money including a $1,500 Grand Champion award. Entry forms are still being accepted and may be downloaded from www.hartsellechamber.org or by calling 256.773.4370.  

The People's Choice BBQ Tasting is set for Friday, May 16 beginning at 6 p.m. The team receiving the most votes will be declared People's Choice Winner and will win bragging rights for the year.

Along with the cook-off on Saturday, May 17, a variety of vendors will be set up in the downtown area. As barbeque chefs show off their grilling skills, festivalgoers can shop in the many specialty and antique shops located in the historic buildings downtown. Several of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is free.

The Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-off is held in conjunction with Hartselle's Spring Fling shopping spree. Shoppers are invited to make purchases anywhere in the city of Hartselle beginning May 4 until 3 p.m. on May 17. Receipts must be brought to The Depot on Saturday, May 17 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and for every $10 spent, shoppers will receive one ticket towards a chance to win prizes. The drawing will be held in the Depot Station at approximately 5:30 p.m. and you must be present to win.

For more information on the Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-off or Spring Fling, contact Susan Hines, President of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, at 256.773.4370.