Press Release

Barbecue, Balloons & Music Festival coming to
Pine Bluff's Regional Park and the Convention Center Arena
September 17 & 18, 2010

PINE BLUFF - Grilling and barbecuing are among America's leading culinary pastimes, and Pine Bluff's Regional Park is where barbecuing maestros from far and near will converge to compete for one of the world's richest purses.

With $20,000 at stake, visitors to Sam's Club Arkansas State Barbecue Championship are guaranteed delighted taste buds and full stomachs. With the world's greatest barbecue wizards, featuring four time world champion and the star of TLC's BBQ Pitmasters Myron Mixon, putting their all into being the best of the best, there'll be no shortage of top quality barbecue on tap.

Sponsored by Smoke on the Water Productions, Pine Bluff A&P Commission, Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel, Budweiser and Kingsford Charcoal, the Arkansas Barbecue Championship is more than just a treat to your tongue. It's also ground zero for entertainment galore.

Kicking off Friday morning, the state's biggest radio hit, 103.7 The BUZZ's Show with No Name with Tommy Smith and David Bazzel will be broadcasting live at Saracen Landing followed by The Zone with Pat Bradley and Justin Acri.

So your ears don't get jealous of all the fun your mouth is having, there is a solid line-up of musical entertainment all weekend: the Southern stylings of Colt Ford, the edgy country from Brantley Gilbert, the classic country rock fusion of LoCash Cowboys and last but not least, the classic, funky, dance, alternative, trippy, hippy rock band PG13!

Once your belly's full sampling the best barbecue in Arkansas at the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce's Ribba-Ramma and your ears are filled with the finest sounds, there's still more thrills to be had.

Get a bird's eye view of the Arkansas Barbecue Championship with a tethered hot air balloon ride. Once you're back on the ground, you can hit the large fair & midway, let your inner child loose with some carnival games and have a screaming good time on the rides. There's also a Kids Funzone with inflatable bounce houses and when the night falls, watch the spectacular glow of the hot air balloons as they dance to the music.

From humble beginnings in 2001 with a $5,000 purse, to the richest contest in the world today, Smoke on the Water currently offers over $400,000 in prize money with events in Arkansas - Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Springdale, at Isle of Capri Casino in Lula, Mississippi, plus major NASCAR speedways at Talladega, Daytona and Michigan.

"Smoke on the Water was created to bring the best barbecuers in the world to our competitions," organizer Ron Cates said. "To be the best, you have to beat the best. It's that simple. The USA Championship in Little Rock this year attracted over 300 teams representing 43 states including 6 from Canada and 1 from Tokyo."

Sam's Club Arkansas State Barbecue Competition will be held September 17 & 18, 2010, in Pine Bluff's Regional Park. Admission to the weekend festival is free. Tickets to the Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert concert Saturday night at the Convention Center Arena are only $15 with VIP seating for $35. Tickets can be purchased at the Convention Center or online.

Schedule of events: Friday, September 17. Gates open 5 pm, hot air balloon rides 6:30 pm, LoCash Cowboys 7:30 pm, hot air balloons glow 8:00 pm. Saturday, September 18. Gates open at noon, barbecue competition judging noon to 2:00 pm, PG 13 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Ribba-Ramma Barbecue Sampling 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, awards ceremony 4:30 pm, hot air balloon rides 6:30 pm, hot air balloons glow 8:00 pm, Pine Bluff Convention Center Arena Brantley Gilbert 7:30 pm, Colt Ford 9:30 pm.