NORTH WILDWOOD -- The 10^th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival returns to the Wildwoods, July 11-13, bringing some of the nation’s best barbecue chefs and blues musicians from across the country to the number one family destination at the Jersey Shore.

The three-day open air festival, staged at 2^nd and Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood, features a championship barbecue competition, live cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, cooking classes, food galore and a full weekend of free, live entertainment. Plus there is an antique car show and a juried craft show adding to the festivities. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, July 11; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 12; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 13.

“You get hungry just thinking about this festival. There are mouthwatering ribs, chicken, brisket and pork that are better than any you’ve ever had before. It’s not grilling, it’s an art!” said John Siciliano, executive director of the Wildwoods Tourism Authority. “The combination of fabulous food and music make this festival one of the best of its kind anywhere in the U.S.”

Bands performing free concerts on the festival’s main stage this year include BlueBone, Patrick Droney, Chili Stu, BD Mylo & Go Daddy, Mighty Lester and the Grant Austin Taylor Band, among others.

The barbecue championship competition is sanctioned and officiated by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the world’s largest association of barbecue enthusiasts. More than $8,000 in cash and prizes are awarded. The champion is eligible to compete in the annual world championship, the 29^th Annual American Royale, held in Kansas City, Missouri October 2 to 5, 2008.

In addition to the food and music, an antique car show is held at the festival site and a juried craft show takes place at the Historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a block away from the festival grounds. On Saturday, there also is a raucous wing-eating contest at 2 p.m. and an “Iron Chef Contest” at 3 p.m., which features the chefs presenting a barbecue dish that they have prepared from scratch using a surprise main ingredient they were given the night before. Each entry is judged on appearance, tenderness/texture, taste and creative use of barbecue. 

A special barbecue cooking class also will be offered at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday by national competitive barbecue authority, Ed Roith.  Advance registration for the class and a nominal fee are required. The State Barbecue Championship judging takes place at noon on Sunday.

Proceeds from the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship benefit the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company, which has served the community since 1897.

For more information on the 10^th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and the Anglesea Blues Festival, go to www.njbbq.com or contact the Wildwoods Tourism Authority at 1-800-WW-By-Sea (800-992-9732) or visit their web site, www.WildwoodsNJ.com.,