What: BBQ Bob’s Redneck Bash
Who: A Whole Lotta Led
When: Monday, Sept. 18
Where: Merlin’s
Tickets: $50
Sink your teeth into award-winning barbecue, dance up a storm to Zeppelin and win some great prizes at BBQ Bob’s Redneck Bash on Monday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at Merlin’s — and help a local barbecue team compete in two of the most renowned barbecue competitions in the world.
Bob Haselbach, Roundhouse Lodge chef manager, received invites to the American Royal Barbecue competition in Kansas City and the Jack Daniel’s World Championships in Lynchburg Tennessee this week.
With competitions costing $2,000 a piece, Haselbach is hosting the fun-filled evening to raise funds for the two trips.
“These are both long ways to travel with all of our BBQ gear,” Haselbach said. “Competitive BBQ is already an expensive thing to be into. When we have the extra expenses involved with traveling this far, it is more challenging.”
Haselbach hopes to raise $8,000 for his team’s expenses.
“It is not easy to earn these invitations and it is unlikely that it would happen again next year,” he said.
Haselbach and his Eh Team of Mark Smith and Dave Brownsberger won the B.C. Championships in Vancouver earlier this year and garnered the title of Reserve Champion at the 2006 Canadian Barbecue Championships in Whistler this summer.
Haselbach lost the Grand Champion title by one point to an American team.
The American Royal is the largest barbecue competition in the world: more than 480 teams competed last year and more are expected for this year’s 18th annual event. The Jack Daniel’s World Championships welcomes 50 teams from around the world to compete in their 15th annual event.
Break out your best plaid and trucker hats for the Redneck Bash with smokin’ entertainment joining the barbecue buffet — Zeppelin tribute band A Whole Lotta Led, fronted by the infamous Hairfarmer Grateful Greg.
Haselbach’s Canadian Championships first place pork butt is included in the barbecue buffet with summer fixings, such as whiskey maple beans, watermelon and corn on the cob.
Admission includes entry into a raffle with prizes ranging from a 2006-07 Whistler-Blackcomb season pass to a barbecue starter prize, which includes a competitive barbecue provided by Kerrisdale Lumber, Haselbach’s secret rubs, charcoals, meats and a 24-hour barbecue tutorial.
“I’ll teach them how to do it, so they can enter the Canadians next year if they want,” Haselbach said. “We’ve got more than $5,000 in prizes to give away.”
Tickets include live concert, buffet, raffle entry and a couple of beverages. Prizes for top three redneck costumes. Tickets are $50 and are now on sale at Merlin’s.
