Hambone Jam BBQ Competition Returns to Peach County | Community Spirit

The weekend of BBQ and competition all rolled into one returns during the Hambone Jam!

That's on September 7-8.

Friday, everything will be up and running by 4:30 and a band performs from 8-11 p.m.

Folks can walk around, enjoy the sites and smells of people cooking. People can purchase BBQ and food from vendors, but will not be able to taste test from the BBQ competition itself.

Bounce houses and other activities will be on site for kids to enjoy.

On Saturday, locals can enter their cars for a Cruise-In starting at 8 a.m. Entrance and showing your car is free.

BBQ judging takes place around 4:30 p.m.

A Norfolk Southern exhibit car from the 1920s will also roll in for Friday's events. Fort Valley was one of 11 chosen cities for this visit, according to event coordinator Kathie Lambert.

Competition categories include:  "BBQ, chili, burgers, sandwiches, side dishes, a Champions Challenge featuring winners of online recipe contests, and a World Chef Challenge open to some of the best chefs in America’s greatest food cities," according to the Hambone Jam website.

Whomever wins the Hambone Jam will receive an invitation to compete in the World Food Championships in Las Vegas  from November 1-4. The Hambone Jam counts as a qualifying event for the World Food Championships.