Last year’s professional Grand Champions, team Budmeister’s BBQ, who are standing in red.

TIFTON — The seventh annual Rhythm & Ribs Barbecue Festival has been set for Saturday, March 7 and event organizers are excited about another big day at Fulwood Park.

“The festival continues to grow, both in the number of barbecue teams that participate and the number of visitors to the park,” said Angela Elder with the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association. “Our payouts for both the professional and backyard competitions are among the best in Georgia. The festival has been recognized state-wide as one of the best events in our region and we’re looking forward to another great year.”

Molly Tuttle and AJ Ghent will co-headline the entertainment at the Syd Blackmarr Stage. Tuttle was crowned the “Instrumentalist of the Year” at the 2018 Americana Music Awards and the 26-year-old native Californian specializes in bluegrass, folk, Americana, and traditional country music. Premier Guitar magazine dubbed her “among the most brilliant guitarists in this new generation.” She will take the stage at 8:30 p.m., Mar. 7.

Ghent, who is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m., will bring a unique energy to the festival as his musical style fuses blues, funk, rock and pop, mashing it into a genre he likes to call “Neo Blues.” The talented Florida native has opened for Zac Brown, The Allman Brothers Band, Derek Trucks, Robert Cray, and Government Mule.

The musical entertainment begins at 10 a.m. with Sabrina Solo, followed by Derrick Dove and the Peacekeepers at 11:30 a.m., Hannah Anders at 1 p.m., the Legendary JC’s at 2:30 p.m.

After a break for the announcement of the barbecue contest winners, Oliver Hazard will perform at 5:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday, there will be entertainment on the Community Stage with a Pet Parade at 10 a.m., Line Dance Fever at 10:30 a.m. and popular Tifton teen performer SCOUT will play at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On Friday night, the Kickoff Party will feature Daniel Parrish at 6 p.m. and the Pine Box Dwellers at 8 p.m.

More than 50 barbecue teams participated last year and Elder said registration is picking up for this year’s event as well. Registration forms can be found at www.tiftonribsfest.com.

The professional competition is sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association as teams from all parts of Georgia and surrounding states will be cooking at the park. Professional teams will be competing for the Grand Champion trophy and $3,000 in prize money. The Reserve Champion will win $1,500 and a trophy while the top 10 in each category will receive cash prizes.

In the backyard competition, the Grand Champion will receive $1,000 and a trophy. Also, cash prizes will be awarded to the top five finishers in each category with certificates going to the 6th through 10th place finishers in each category. In both competitions, competitors will compete in Pork Loin, Pulled Pork, and Ribs categories.

Anyone interested in participating in the barbecue competition or as a vendor, sponsorship opportunities, or participating as a volunteer can contact The Spearman Agency at 229-386-0216 or by email at spearmanagency@friendlycity.net.

“We have had around 15,000 people attend this festival in the past and it continues to grow each year,” Elder said. “It’s a great opportunity for local businesses to get their name and product in

front of a huge audience and sponsorships make it possible to offer the entertainment at no charge.

Rhythm & Ribs has become a signature event for Tifton and we believe this year will be another fantastic day in Fulwood Park.”