The Wildwoods Host 19th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival

THE WILDWOODS – Indulge in mouthwatering ribs, chicken, brisket and pork while enjoying some of the best Blues music this side of Beale Street during the 19th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival Friday, July 7 through Sunday, July 9. The event will take place at 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood.

The three-day festival will feature barbecue teams from around the country showing off their grill skills in a quest for the best barbecue. Teams will compete for glory by attempting to create masterfully marinated and seasoned meats, grilled to perfection, in order to earn the title of Grand Champion. The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship is an elite 2017 official automatic qualifying event for the World Food Championships. The Grand Champion will advance to the WFC in Orange Beach, Ala. to compete against the best of the best. The WFC is invitation only, and the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship is among only 100 international contests entitled to send its Grand Champion to the WFC! The festival will also feature FREE live Blues music performed by some of the region’s most soulful artists.

The festival kicks off Friday, July 7 with an Opening Ceremony at 4 p.m. and the Fun and Games Crew from Cat Country 107.3 from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy some of the best barbecue in the state and FREE Blues performances from 4 to 7 p.m. by Billy the Kid and the Regulators, and Dr. Cheeko presents Ingram, with special guest Madame Pat Tandy from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday’s festivities will conclude at 11 p.m.

Saturday, July 8, festival hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will include live broadcasts from New Jersey 101.5 featuring Big Joe Henry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 106.3 The Shore from 2 to 4 p.m. A surprise ingredient, dessert and sauce contest takes place at 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy FREE live musical sets featuring Loose Leaf Blues Band from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; South Jersey Blues Company from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Jeff Fetterman Band from 4 to 7 p.m.; and Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The festival concludes on Sunday, July 9 with live broadcasts by 98.7 The Coast from noon to 2 p.m. and SoJo 104.9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Judging for the 2017 Barbecue Grand Championship – conducted by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and a panel of volunteer judges – begins at noon, with the awards ceremony commencing at 4:30 p.m. FREE live Blues performances continue with Bev Conklin Blues from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and The BC Combo from 1 to 4 p.m.

The 19th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival is a celebration of great food, great music and family fun you won’t want to miss, so pack up your appetite and groove to the blues in the Wildwoods Friday, July 7 through Sunday, July 9. Admission is FREE!

For additional information, call (609) 523-6565 or visit www.njbbq.com or www.angleseablues.com.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call (800) 992-9732.