By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
The smell of smoked meat, the sound of live music, the crush of thousands jam-packed into a couple of blocks — these are the sights and sounds (and odors) of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce barbecue.
The 21st annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday on the chamber grounds, 1000 S. Polk St.
"For 21 years the chamber tradition has been to provide a quality, business networking event for our members," said Gary Molberg, chamber president and CEO. "It allows them to connect with the public, their customers, and coworkers, and what better way to do that than outside with a big cook-off?"
The event will boast 100 cook teams competing for bragging rights as they barbecue ribs, brisket and other meats. Most will offer food for the crowd, which is expected to top 6,000, and other vendors will provide drinks (alcoholic and otherwise).
"This event is like no other, and people's love for authentic Texas barbecue and live music will certainly draw a nice crowd," Molberg said.
The Buster Bledsoe Band will perform.
Tickets are $30 in advance through any Panhandle Ticket outlet including the Civic Center Box Office, any Amarillo/Canyon United or Amigos Supermarket, online at Panhandle Tickets or by phone at 806-378-3096. They're $40 at the gate.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/chipchandlerwriter on Facebook.
