America’s 24th Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Food & Music Festival Officially Kicks Off Summer in the Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) June 07, 2016 -- When the scent of blooming cherry blossoms fades into the hickory sweet aroma of mouth-watering BBQ, it’s time for the area’s tastiest summer celebration, the 24th Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. Held on the first weekend of Summer, this mammoth festival plays homage to everything BBQ.
On June 25 and 26, Pennsylvania Avenue will once again transform into a festival of amazing sights, sounds, and smells. The usual street noise will be replaced by the sound of perfectly tuned guitars, powerful vocals and soulful melodies from over 30 bands performing Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, R&B and Go Go on the Pepsi-Lays Sound Stage & Famous Dave’s Stage throughout the weekend.
The Giant Barbecue Battle is one of the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country and offers a chance to experience the thrill of competition BBQ at its best. Cooks from across the country compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Barbecue legends like Myron Mixon and Tuffy Stone from TV’s “BBQ Pit Masters Show,” compete side-by-side with top BBQ Chefs and mom-and-pop teams for the coveted title of National Barbecue Champion.
Teams cook off in a number of National Cooking Contests including “The National Pork BBQ Championship” sponsored by the National Pork Board and America’s Best Beef Contest, sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Other categories have included the Perdue Sizzlin’ Chicken Contest, Australian Lamb Contest, Smithfield Rib Contest and America’s Best BBQ Sauce. In 2016, military chefs from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will participate in a special cook-off to benefit the USO of Metropolitan Washington and the Capital Area Food Bank. The event has raised over 1.7 million dollars in past years for these and other District charities.
All visitors can dig into flavorful plates of beef brisket, chicken, pork and lamb prepared by some of the best BBQ restaurants from across the country. Plus, all guests will be treated to free food samples throughout the event site, including: mini BBQ sandwiches, Grilled Lamb, Beef Burgers, Hot Dogs, Ice Cream and more in the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion, along with great regional treats in the Giant Local Flavors Tent. To quench everyone’s thirst, a new sponsor, Barefoot Beach will be providing free wine samples, and the ever-popular Heineken Beer Garden offers ice-cold refreshment—not-to-mention, any one of the many beverage stands will be selling ice cold Pepsi products throughout the event site.
Families will delight with exhibits & activities for kids of all ages like Nathan’s Famous Mobile Tour, Mr. Peanut’s 100th Anniversary Tour, Colgate Bright Smiles Tour, PNC Family Area, Johnsonville Big Taste “World’s Largest” Grill, Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile, Morning Star Farms “Get Your Vege On” Tour, Wahl Mobile Barbour Shop, DC Lottery Misting Tent, Ford Sync Tour, Washington National’s, DC United, Cooking Demonstrations on the Taste of Giant Demo Stage and much more.
The event has been named “One of Five Can’t Miss Summer Festivals in the Country” by CNN, a “Top 10 BBQ Event” by the Travel Channel, “One of America’s Best BBQ Competitions” by Saveur Magazine, and “An Event Worth Traveling to” by the American Bus Association.
Giant Food, LLC secured the title sponsorship, now known as the “Giant Barbecue Battle,” in September/2015. As part of its sponsorship, Giant will be conducting a special in-store month-long product marketing program leading up to the Giant Barbecue Battle event. The program is designed to be an effective marketing tool in its ability to create awareness and excitement for Giant and its vendors.
The promotion runs throughout the month of June in all 168 Giant Food locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Giant shoppers will receive a purchase incentive of a free Giant Barbecue Battle event admission when they purchase participating products during the June promotional period.
At the Giant Barbecue Battle event, product manufacturers will be given the opportunity to showcase their brands to tens of thousands of consumers in the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion and on the Giant Cooking Demonstration Stage. This interactive sampling area offers Giant and its vendors the opportunity to educate the public about the wide variety of products and services available at Giant.
The 2016 Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle is heating up to be the biggest & best yet, so block off the weekend of June 25 and 26 and prepare the whole family for DC’s Festival of Feasting & Fun!
For more info, photos, and event details, visit http://www.BBQinDC.com, or contact Melanie Hosch, PR Director by email or by calling 202-488-6990. Stay informed of the latest BBQ Event updates by following the BBQ Battle on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bbqindc.
Melanie Hosch/PR Director, Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle in DC, http://BBQinDC.com, +1 (202) 488-6990, [email protected]
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