Published: May 01, 2008 09:24 am         

Creative Compassion, Inc. secures Amateur Barbecue Cookoff entertainment

The entertainment for Creative Compassion, Inc. Amateur Barbecue Cookoff will be provided by DSquared Productions, a nonprofit organization committed to producing quality family events for the community. Dennis Donald has shared the stage with many greats including Ray Charles, Barbara Mandrell, Lynn Anderson, Charlie Pride and Doc Severinsen and has performed at the Cumberland County Playhouse in four shows, his favorite being Captains Courageous. Donald has a great voice and will be singing some “oldies” as well as country and gospel. Jeff Bray has his own construction company and has appeared on the 2000 Star Search in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and was offered record contracts, which he declined. Bray has appeared in the Jimmy Dean Country Showdown and prefers to sing country and gospel. Both Donald and Bray will share the stage at Wildwood Stables (at the corner of Chestnut Hill Rd. and Westchester Dr. in Fairfield Glade), from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, during Creative Compassion's first amateur barbecue cookoff.

Since the barbecue cookoff is a family event, the whole family will enjoy the entertainment, pony rides, hay rides, care of horses clinics, children pony stick races, meeting bull riders, and prize raffles. Five dollars per person or $10 for two adults and two children entitles you to a bowl and fork to sample each of the contestants' entries, a ballot to vote for the best in each class and a ticket for special prize drawings. Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and drinks will be available for an additional charge.

The entire event centers around the amateur barbecue cookers, so as you can imagine, they need to have amateur barbecue cookers pick up their entry forms at the Crossville Chronicle, Wildwood Stables, Wildwood Catering (next to Katherine’s Books & Collectibles on Peavine Rd.) or Creative Compassion, Inc. (456-6654). The cookers will set up their stations from noon until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at Wildwood Stables. Cookers, remember your $25 entry form entitles you to participate in all categories: pork, brisket, chicken and best sauce. Your entry form also qualifies you for the $500 People's Choice Award, and a panel of five judges will choose winners for pork, brisket, chicken and best sauce. First place is $250; second place is $100, and third place is $50. That’s a total of $2,100 in prize money! Get your entry forms now!

Sponsors are an important part of the success of any event, and the community support has been wonderful. If you would like to be an active sponsor for the barbecue cookoff, please give Frank Massaro a call at the Creative Compassion, Inc. office (456-6654). Sponsors can participate in cash prizes or ticket prizes and their business will be advertised throughout the event.