BBQ Blowout will bust your gut

Two cities, 57 barbecue teams, a country music band, a senator and a mechanical alligator — it sounds like the beginnings of a Carl Hiaasen novel. But this is what it takes to put on what could be the event of the year in Oviedo and Winter Springs, if not all of Seminole County.

The first annual BBQ Blowout will take place Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25, at the Oviedo Mall.

Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit the joint hosts, the Oviedo/Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce and HOPE Helps Inc., a local charity working to end homelessness in Central Florida.

The idea for the event began independently within each group more than a year ago, and the two agreed to team up when a mutual contact suggested they join forces and create one big blowout.

“We’re excited to work together,” said Joan Faulkner of HOPE Helps. “Together we are building commerce and community.”

The Friday night bash features a concert headlined by country music up-and-comers Steel Magnolia.

It turns out they are friends of Leland Grant, son of HOPE Helps founder Krissy Goss.

Grant, who is also performing that night, was able to use his connections to bring in Steel Magnolia, who will be donating their time.

VIP tickets for the concert are already sold out, but $25 general admission tickets are still available. General admission includes the concert, a low country boil by T.J.’s Seafood Shack, and a craft beer sampling.

Fifty-seven pro BBQ teams will be furiously competing all day Friday to win the ultimate prize, Grand Champion and a golden ticket to the World Food Championships in Las Vegas.

Sen. David Simmons of Altamonte Springs signed a proclamation, granting the event the official status it needed to become a qualifier for the super bowl of BBQ, The Jack Daniels Invitational in Lynchburg, Va.

For serious fans of BBQ, this is big news because it means the officially sanctioned event will draw top teams from all over the state to compete for a chance at the big-time.

For $7, attendees on Saturday can judge for themselves from who has the best BBQ and have a hand in deciding the People’s Choice Award.

And if that’s not excitement enough, those bold enough to attempt it can challenge each other on the mechanical alligator. (Think mechanical bull, Florida style.)

“We wanted to make this a fun event for the whole family,” said Bridget Lake of the Oviedo/Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s something for everyone, and the food is going to be amazing.”