Elkmont Lions Club Backyard BBQ Cookoff Registration Closes May 28

Elkmont Lions Club Backyard BBQ Cookoff
Registration Closes May 28th

Written by

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

Calling all Backyard Division Cookoff Teams.... the time to register for the Elkmont Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cookoff is growing near -- May 28th to be precise.  This newly Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned cookoff, also part of the Alabama Barbecue Trail, is pitting the cooking skills of amateur Backyard Division teams against each other.  

The Elkmont Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cookoff was already known for a highly competitive fields of talent but with the addition of the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) Sanctioning, the titles are taking on new energy.

People's Choice Awards tickets offer attendees of the festival to choose the crowd favorite while

professional judges from the KCBS circuit will be raising the bar high for the Chicken, Ribs and Pulled Pork competitions.

Cook teams interested in registering should visit:  ElkmontLionsClub.com


Additional activities lined up for the crowds coming to enjoy the barbecue cook off include a Cruise-In on Gilbert Street with prizes for registrants and guide tour of Elkmont and a concert in the evening on June 10th.

June 11th has a Cornhole Tournament at the Elkmont Depot with prizes too.  There will be live music and of course, plenty of chances to enjoy fresh barbecue.

Attendees to the barbecue cookoff can enjoy shopping Antique Paper Trail, Belle Chevre and Elkmont Saturday Market too.

For lodging and RV parks, please visit:  VisitAthensAL.com

Fish Fries, Barbecue and Everything Fried

One of the great things about Agritourism is that it includes the celebration of food!  Whether it's seafood, beef, chicken or seafood -- it's grown and harvested by farmers around the world.  Athens-Limestone Alabama has some great opportunities for upcoming "Food Exploration" including Fish Fries, Barbecue Cookoffs, Festivals and more.   Here's a collection of upcoming events where your tastebuds will thank you and you'll have fun too--



Apr 21st -- Swamp John's Seafood Fest  Tanner United Methodist  19607 Huntsville-Brownsferry Road  Tanner, AL    Enjoy a fresh cooked feast of Chicken, Catfish, Shrimp or a combination of all or any.  The meal includes fries, slaw, hush puppies and tea.  Eat in or take out for $11.00 per plate from 4:00PM-7:00PM.  For information, call and leave a message: 256-232-0482

Apr 23rd -- Saturday Supper with Belle Chevre   Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room  18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road  Elkmont, AL  Back by popular demand, Belle Chevre is again offering their Saturday Suppers cooked by our award-winning Chief Cheese Tasia Malakasis and Chef de Cuisine Rick Vonk. Saturday Suppers are inspired by fresh, local ingredients, including Belle Chevre’s fine artisanal goat cheeses made in Alabama. Southern-made 5 Course meals that reflect Southern heritage and our passion for spreading love around meals.  Two Seatings options:  5:30PM and 7:30PM. $75/person  To view menu or make reservation:  http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/saturday-suppers-2/

Apr 24th -- Island Spice - Athens Grand Opening Kickoff   Island Spice - Athens  616 U.S. Highway 31S Athens, AL   Grab your lawn chairs and come enjoy the Reggae bands on the patio for a free concert as the Island Spice family kickoff a week of celebration during the grand opening Unity Fest.  Enjoy food specials including vegetarian and gluten free offerings from 11:00AM-8:00PM.  For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/island-spice-athens-grand-opening-tickets-24794070733

Apr 27th -- Administrative Professionals Day Celebration Luncheon  Limestone County Event Center 114 West Pryor Street Athens, AL   Family Resource Center is hosting the 2016 Administrative Professionals Day Celebration Luncheon at 11:30AM to help you celebrate and recognize your appreciation of your support staff.  Tickets are $20.00 per guest and include entertainment, food, guest speakers, door prizes and more.  For additional information: alcfamilyrc@gmail.com

Apr 29th -- Fish Fry  Emmanuel Baptist Church 1917 U.S. Highway 72W  Athens, AL  Enjoy a lunch of Catfish, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Slaw, Hush Puppies, Drink and Dessert from 11:00AM-1:00PM.  $10.00 Advance Purchase or $12.00 at the door.  Proceeds benefit the museum.  To purchase your advance ticket, visit the Alabama Veterans Museum 100 West Pryor Street in Athens.  For more information, 256-771-7578

Apr 30th-- Sassafras Tea Day  Downtown Elkmont, AL  Come join the fun at this unique festival celebrating a very Southern drink Sassafras Tea from 10:00AM-1:00PM.  A newly found photo of the post-Civil War Sulfur Creek Trestle will be unveiled and the history of the battle will be presented.  For more information: 256-278-1262.

May 14th -- Saturday Supper with Belle Chevre   Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room  18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road  Elkmont, AL  Back by popular demand, Belle Chevre is again offering their Saturday Suppers cooked by our award-winning Chief Cheese Tasia Malakasis and Chef de Cuisine Rick Vonk. Saturday Suppers are inspired by fresh, local ingredients, including Belle Chevre’s fine artisanal goat cheeses made in Alabama. Southern-made 5 Course meals that reflect Southern heritage and our passion for spreading love around meals.  Two Seatings options:  5:30PM and 7:30PM. $75/person  To view menu or make reservation:  http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/saturday-suppers-2/

May 16th -- Vietnam Veterans Spaghetti Lunch/Dinner  Vietnam Veterans Chapter 511 Post 17915 West Elm Street Athens, AL  Join the VVA Chapter 511 for an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti meal including salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage for $7.00.  Chose lunch from 11:00AM-1:00PM or dinner from 5:00PM-7:00PM or both!

Jun 10th & 11th -- Elkmont Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cookoff  Downtown Elkmont, AL  Join the Elkmont Lions Club for their newly Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned Backyard Division cookoff.  Categories will be Pulled Pork, Chicken and Ribs.  The Public will enjoy music, sampling and concessions.  Tickets to sample for People's Choice to be announced.  Cook teams interested in participating should visit: www.elkmontlionsclub.com  For more information: ldpylant25902@yahoo.com

Jun 11th -- Athens Grease Festival  Downtown Athens, AL  Enjoy a day of everything deep fried.  More info to come.  http://athensgreasefestival.com/

Jun 11th -- Saturday Supper with Belle Chevre   Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room  18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road  Elkmont, AL  Back by popular demand, Belle Chevre is again offering their Saturday Suppers cooked by our award-winning Chief Cheese Tasia Malakasis and Chef de Cuisine Rick Vonk. Saturday Suppers are inspired by fresh, local ingredients, including Belle Chevre’s fine artisanal goat cheeses made in Alabama. Southern-made 5 Course meals that reflect Southern heritage and our passion for spreading love around meals.  Two Seatings options:  5:30PM and 7:30PM. $75/person  To view menu or make reservation:  http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/saturday-suppers-2/

Jun 20th-- Vietnam Veterans Spaghetti Lunch/Dinner  Vietnam Veterans Chapter 511 Post 17915 West Elm Street Athens, AL  Join the VVA Chapter 511 for an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti meal including salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage for $7.00.  Chose lunch from 11:00AM-1:00PM or dinner from 5:00PM-7:00PM or both!

Jun 24th-- Senior Lunch Matinee Show   Yesterdays Event Center 15631 Brownsferry Road Athens, AL   Join Yesterdays for a complete lunch including drink and dessert for $11.00, and entertainment featuring a special performance, Celebrate American Veterans with singer/impressionist Kevin Adams and includes a trip to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens.  Doors open 10:30AM, Event begins 11:00AM and showtime 12:00PM with a show length 60-75 minutes. Groups of all size welcome.  Bus parking available.  Cancellation fee may apply.  Pre-reservation required, send reservation email to: Info@YesterdaysEvents.com.​

Bring your appetite ... cause we're closer than you think.

Albany Bistro and 1818 Farms Present Benefit Farm to Table Dinner

News Release
Albany Bistro
256.686.1667

1818 Farms
256.714.3220

For immediate release October 1, 2013


Albany Bistro and 1818 Farms Present Benefit Farm to Table Dinner

DECATUR, Ala. --- Learning about the cycle of food is the theme for the first "Dinner on the Farm" planned for October 18 at 1818 Farms in Mooresville. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Committee on Church Cooperation, Decatur's soup kitchen and pantry.

Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms, described the farm to table movement as more than just using local food.

“It’s local produce straight from a local farmer that you put right on your table,” she said.
Jake Reed, executive chef and owner of the Albany Bistro in Decatur, who will be preparing the dinner, elaborated on the movement that may seem trendy to today’s “foodies,” but was a way of life to previous generations, especially in the south.

“It’s knowing your farmer, where the food comes from and the story behind your food. A lot of people feel like if they go to the farmer’s market they know where their food comes from, but people don’t take time to talk about how the food is grown,” he said, adding that many people still have a supermarket mentality when they go to the farmer’s market. Knowing the grower is more important than ever with the explosion in popularity of farmer’s markets.

Rick Brown, managing partner of the Albany Bistro, agreed, adding that people should be asking why farmers do what they do.

“The farmer who only grows green beans because he loves green beans is probably going to be growing the best green beans,” he said.

Those who attend "Dinner on the Farm” will be eating at the farm where the food was grown and will be able to talk to the farmers as well as to the people who prepared the dinner. It will be a true seed-to-harvest-to-table experience, according to McCrary.

“This will be a real opportunity to get to know a farmer, best practices and what day-to-day life is like,” she said.

Participating farms who have generously agreed to donate their food include Smith Farms, Champion Farms, Tune Farms, and 1818 Farms.

The event will begin with a farm tour at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Although the menu cannot be announced with certainty, because only the freshest available produce will be served, diners will receive a five-course meal. Alcoholic beverages will not be served but guests are welcome to bring their favorite libations. Entertainment will be provided by Phil Weaver and Emily Jones.

Cost for the event is $75.

The farm is located at 24889 Lauderdale Street in Mooresville. Free parking will be provided and the location is accessible to those with mobility issues. Dress for the event is farm casual.
For more information about this event, contact 1818 Farms at 256-714-3220 or 1818farms@gmail.com

To order tickets online, visit our website at www.1818farms.com or go to link listed below.
http://1818farms.com/products-page/product-category/2013-farm-to-table-dinners/
Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms, and Chef Jake Reed of the Albany Bistro