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.

Elkmont BBQ Cookoff Newly Sanctioned By KCBS

Written by
Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist
Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

The Elkmont Alabama Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cook-Off Backyard Division is newly sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.  This new recognition means professional judges that work the KCBS circuit will be the tough tastebuds to please for the non-professional cook teams.  It also means that teams will have a chance to earn points not only with the Alabama Barbecue Association but also with the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

The Elkmont Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cook-Off has been a long-standing member of the Alabama Barbecue Association and the Alabama Barbecue Trail and adding the KCBS sanctioning adds another feather to this popular cookoff.

The teams pour into downtown Elkmont early Thursday before the actual competition.  They set up shop - coolers of ice, trimming meat, making sauces and talking things up -  before they prepare for a night of bringing the smokers and cookers to temp.  After a long night of tending with special wood blends, charcoals, and other such backyard secrets to get the cookers and smokers up-to-temp up, it's time for the real business on Friday.  The cook teams commence the very aromatic process of the competition that has filled the air of Limestone County to the point it has even caused pause and inquiry among the citizens in Athens to figure out where the tasty smell could be emanating from (image how alluring the smell must be at the interstate at Elkmont and the State of Alabama Welcome Center).


Backyard Teams are encouraged to signup early via the elkmontlionsclub.com website.

Three Limestone AL Restaurants in Alabama Barbecue Battle

Three Limestone AL Restaurants in Alabama Barbecue Battle

Written By
Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist
Athens-Limestone County Tourism Assn.


Limestone County loves its barbecue!  The nomination of three locations for from our community and the amassed voting helps to prove that point during the Alabama Barbecue Battle.  

Lawler's Barbecue, winner of the Best Barbecue Sauce in Alabama, is in the running for Best Multi-location.

306 BBQ & Catering, winner of the Best Wings in North Alabama, is in the running for Best Rookie.

Hickory Barn BBQ, that was destroyed by a tornado and has risen from the rubble and ashes like the phoenix, is actually in two categories -- Best Rookie and Best Dive.

Want to try these places out:

Lawler's Barbecue Express 3
1506 U.S. Highway 72 (AL Exit 351, Interstate 65)
Athens, AL

Hickory Barn BBQ
12250 U.S. Highway 72 (West of Athens)
Athens, AL

306 BBQ & Catering
23101 U.S. Highway 72E (East of Athens)
Athens, AL

Want to vote for them?

https://www.alabamabbqbattle.com