NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
CONTACT: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Reserve your campsite and sign up now to compete in the first-ever state championship barbeque cook-off at Delaware Seashore State Park
First live auction for low digit surf tags will also be held.
REHOBOTH BEACH (Aug. 25, 2015) – DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation will host the first-ever “Boo-B-Que By the Sea,” a two-day statewide barbeque cook-off competition beginning Friday, Oct. 30, at Delaware Seashore State Park. The event will also feature the first live auction for low digit surf fishing tags on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The “Boo-B-Que,” a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) -sanctioned event, will be held in the south inlet day use and campground areas. It will feature live music, food and craft brew vendors, trick or treating for kids, and an opportunity for visitors to select the “people’s choice award” winners for best pulled pork and chicken wings. Barbecuers from up and down the East Coast will be competing against each other.
“Delaware Seashore State Park is the perfect host site for ‘Boo-B-Que by the Sea,’” said Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens. “As the third KCBS event to be held in Delaware, the park has the distinction of hosting the state championship for barbeque, and will help one competitor earn an invitation to the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbeque in October of 2016. Another distinctive aspect is that park visitors and competitors can enjoy barbeque while taking in the beauty of the Indian River Inlet - complete with the aroma of barbeque in the salt air.”
Daily entrance fees will be in effect for the event. Visitors interested in making a weekend out of the festivities can join the fun and get a 15% discount on campsites at Delaware Seashore State Park. Reservations can be made online at http://delawarestateparks.reserveamerica.com/ or by calling 877-987-2757 and using promotional code SEABBQ1515. Proceeds from the event will benefit Delaware State Parks’ Children in Nature program and other outdoor programming.
To enter the competition, both pro and backyard grillers should contact event organizer Sandy Fulton directly at sandyfulton720@gmail.com .
Sussex Outdoors is one of a number of partners sponsoring the “Boo-B-Que By the Sea.” “Delaware State Parks provides some of the finest outdoor opportunities in the country,” said John Hollis, Sussex Outdoors director. “Delaware Seashore State Park is a perfect setting for getting people outdoors. We’re also excited to work with so many great community partners to create a fun family-centered event at this beautiful site.”
In addition to Sussex Outdoors, event partners include Southern Delaware Tourism, ASAP Printing, Boys & Girls Clubs, and numerous other community partners investing in Delaware’s quality of life initiatives.
The Kansas City Barbeque Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with more than 19,000 members worldwide. Every year, KCBS sanctions more than 450 barbeque contests worldwide, with the mission of recognizing barbeque as “America's Cuisine,” and “to celebrate, teach, preserve and promote barbeque as a culinary technique, sport and art form.”
On Saturday, Oct. 31, the first live auction for low digit surf fishing tags will be held at 2:30 p.m. on the park’s main stage.
“Delawareans have an affinity for low-digit license plates,” said Bivens. “We are really excited to offer another great low-digit opportunity with the sale of low-numbered surf fishing plates at ‘Boo-B-Que By the Sea.’”
The live auction will include a select number of low-digit surf plates. The black and white tags will have a unique, vintage look with raised letters. Bidding will open at $250. The winning bidder for each tag will receive a certificate of authenticity. Once purchased, owners will retain the tag as long as they have a valid surf fishing permit. All revenue raised from the program will directly benefit Delaware State Parks and surf fishing beach access.
Vol. 45, No. 275
