Barbecue Battle 2014
Thousands of BBQ lovers converged on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, in the scorching heat, on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 - 22, 2014 for the 22nd Annual Safeway Barbecue Battle, an annual event that celebrates barbecue culture. With the U.S. Capitol as a back drop, people ate food, took pictures with mascots, met celebrity barbecue masters and listened to music from a variety of genres and all was for a good cause.
Companies competed for $40,000 and bragging rights as the National Pork Barbecue Champion. The money was given to several local charities including the Boys and Girls Club.
The barbecue competition wasn't the only main attraction. Festival-goers also had the opportunity to meet basketball athletes at the NBA Nation area and to shoot hoops too. A variety of music genres were on multiple stages, including Blue Grass, jazz and Go-Go. Because I love go-go, I stayed at that tent.
Humidity, smoke from several grills, and music filled the air as I walked down the strip.
The competitions were on Saturday but a lot of people came out yesterday. Even though I missed the cook-offs, I still had fun.
BBQ VENDORS
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| Sriracha Sauce has an (Indian flavor). That's different. |
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| Famous Dave's many trophies. |
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| Tables were provided in the middle of the street to allow people to eat ribs and whatever to give a cookout feel. |
NBA NATION
NBA Nation reportedly set up three full-size basketball courts with NBA players. I saw some athletes, but I couldn't get close enough to them to take the pictures, so I had to move on. I did, however, got shots of other action happening inside NBA Nation.
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| This thing was huge! |
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| Of course, WKYS 93.9 FM was there. It seems like they are at every (major) community event. |
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| Photo cutouts of Blake Griffin (left) and James Harden (right). |
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| I really like this air ball shot. I like how Sprite's colors blend with the green trees with the white buildings in the background. |
FOOD BRANDS
The 300-foot-long Safeway Sampling Pavillion. I was in line for at least 30 minutes. But after I got my plates and ate my food, it was worth the wait. I got my grub on. :-)
GO-GO MUSIC SOUNDSTAGE
There were a variety soundstages with several performances spanning several musical genres: Blue Grass, Jazz and etc. Because I like Go-Go, stay at that tent. Plus, I wanted to get pictures of Rare Essence.
When I got to the Barbecue Battle, I walked past the soundstages and listened for a few minutes and then made my way to the Pepsi Soundstage. Bela Donna, Black Alley performed. They cranked from beginning to end.
It was so hot that I had to sit down. I sat under the Pepsi tent.
Part 1
Part 2
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| Trouble Funk (with Sugar Bear) |
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People waiting for the Go-Go performance to begin. |
I prayed I would get a good seat. I got on but a lot of people, mostly, men, pushed their way to the front. I forgot that mostly men listen to and/or go to go-gos. By this time, I was so hot, and my feet were hurting and I didn't feel like pressing my way to the front. I just let it be. However, I still got photos, videos and my dance on. That performance was very good. But, it was Rare Essence. I didn't expect anything less. The played new and old hits. The crowd really got pumped when they sang their classics "One on One", "Lock It".
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| The "Wickedest Band Alive" Rare Essence with James Funk brought the crowd to their feet with new songs and classics like "Lock It". |
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| Rare Essence with James Funk getting the crowd pumped. |
The "Wickedest Band Alive" Rare Essence with James Funk brought the crowd to their feet with news songs and classics like "Lock It".
RARE ESSENCE AFTER THEIR PERFORMANCE
Rare Essence band members mingled and took pictures after their performance.
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| Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson (right), co-founder of Rare Essence band, talks to James "Funk" Thomas (left). |
Trouble Funk band member
BRAND SIGNAGE
These are some of the restaurant teams that (battled) for the championship title/vendors
BBQ GRILLS
A good pitmaster needs the proper tools. The types of grills used are important. A variety were on display.
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| Vendors chill after a long day. |
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| Vendors chill after a long day. |
I got the opportunity to meet the famous "Famous Dave". He's an award-winning restaurateur. The multi-millionaire, owns several restaurants and created tasty BBQ sauce. He's one over 700 awards (according to the signage) and won this year' trophy. Too bad I missed it.
Not only is he an award-winning entrepreneur, he's also an author.
Wilbur the Pig lit up. The Barbecue was officially over and it was time to go. Although, I didn't make it to the actual battle contests, I still had an amazing time.
