The Boss of Sauce BBQ Festival announced its World Championship qualifying barbecue competition is coming to Downtown Jacksonville.
Festival organizers said in a news release March 2 that the April 8-10 competition will be at Riverfront Plaza, the former Jacksonville Landing site at 2 Independent Drive.
In the news release, Boss of Sauce Organizing Chairman and event sponsor Drummond CEO John Falconetti said it will be the first Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition held in Jacksonville.
“Jacksonville has always been a passionate BBQ town. Now, we’re entering the BBQ big leagues,” he said.
“We look forward to a fun weekend of entertainment and competition. This inaugural event is poised to become a new First Coast annual tradition.”
St. Augustine-based Ryan King of King’s BBQ, who recently won second overall in the Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam competition, will compete in the world qualifier at Riverfront Plaza.
Professional teams and past American Royal World Series of BBQ champions Smokey D’s BBQ and Lucky’s Q, both of Iowa, also plan to travel to Jacksonville to compete, the news release states.
JAX Chamber, Visit Jacksonville and the city are supporting the event.
Other corporate sponsors include Miller Electric Company, marketing firm Money Pages of Jacksonville Inc. and Grill Perks.
The barbecue competition begins April 8 with live music from Northeast Florida-based The Firewater Tent Revival and headliner Chase Rice, hosted by Jax River Jams.
April 9 attendees can sample barbecue, craft beer and bourbon from local vendors.
Teams can register at https://bossofthesaucebbq.com/.
