The Jack Daniel’s BBQ returns on October 8-9

LOCAL EVENT NEWS — The Lynchburg community’s been buzzing for weeks but Jack Daniel’s Distillery made the official announcement today. The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue will return to the historic Lynchburg Square and Wiseman Park on October 8-9.

In June of last year, event officials cancelled the Lynchburg’s biggest annual event in an abundance of caution but commented then that they were determined to bring the event back in 2021. {To read our full coverage of the 2020 cancellation, click here.} Due to current travel restrictions, only domestic teams will be competing at this year’s event.

Teams vie for The Jack and a $25,000 prize

Judges from around the country and thousands of barbecue enthusiasts will join competitive barbecue’s “best of the best” as they compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion and $25,000 in prize money. The Jack is widely considered the world’s most prestigious barbecue competition in many barbecue circles.

“We look forward to safely welcoming back the competitors, our attendees, our community and all those who come out to support this event,” said Jack Daniel Distillery’s General Manager Larry Combs. “We hope everyone will mark their calendars for October 8-9, 2021, because there will be smoke back again in the Hollow.”

Teams from across the United States will compete in seven categories : Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder/Butts, Beef Brisket, Chicken, Dessert, Cook’s Choice and Jack Daniel’s Sauce. To qualify, domestic teams must have won a state championship with a minimum of 25 competing teams, or a competition with more than 50 teams battling in the categories of Pork Ribs, Pork Butts, Chicken and Beef Brisket. The final competitors are then selected during a blind drawing of all eligible teams in August.

Additionally, automatic invitations are given to the 2019 Jack Daniel’s Grand Champion, Clark Crew BBQ, as well as this season’s grand champions from Memphis in May, The American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. {For a list of all the most recent Jack winners, click here.}

On October 9, other activities will include original games such as the Country Dog Contest and Bung and Bag Toss competitions. Games begin Saturday at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Barbecue judging starts at 11:30 a.m., and the awards presentation will take place at 5 p.m.

Admission to the 32nd Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue is a voluntary donation to the Moore County School system.

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}