Smoke on the Falls, presented by Parks and Recreation Department, is back Friday April 8th- Saturday April 9th at the Noccalula Falls Campground for the 7th year. The highlight of the weekend is the KCBS certified Barbecue contests pitting 48 teams through the Professional and Johnson’s Backyard divisions. Cooks from far and wide will be fiercely competing for the more than $3000 in the Johnson’s Backyard division and more than $12,000 in the Professional division.
New this year is the Dean’s Sausage cook-off sponsored by Dean’s and Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. Cooks are challenged on Friday night to try their hand at crafting a winning dish featuring Dean’s Sausage. Returning this year is the “Smoke Your Buns” 5K race through Noccalula Falls Park and along Black Creek Trail, where area runners have a chance to test their mettle against the clock and the terrain.
The weekend kicks with the Dean’s Sausage cook-off on Friday afternoon and a free concert to kickoff the weekend. The free event opens to the public at 3 p.m., with music by “Foggy Hollow Review” from 6-8 p.m. at the “State Farm Music Stage.” Food, arts and craft vendors will also be located around the Noccalula Falls Campground.
Saturday begins early with the “Smoke Your Buns” run starting at 8 a.m. and the barbecue festival opens to the public at 10 a.m. Admission to the festival is $8 for adults, $5 for children 4-12, and free for children 3 and under. Admission includes a free barbecue sandwich and live music by Peanut & Rush at 11:30 a.m. and The Shane Givens band at 2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to watch as competitors compete in events like Chicken, Brisket, Ribs and Pork/Butt. The Jack’s Kid Zone will also be open on Saturday with inflatables and games for children. Some competitors may offer free samples after they’ve submitted their entries, so be on the lookout for red balloons at team tables. The weekend concludes with results and award ceremony from the Smoke on the Falls barbecue contest at 4 p.m.
For more information contact Janet Tarrance, Parks and Recreation Department jtarrance@cityofgadsden.com 256-549-4663. The City of Gadsden provides the citizens of Gadsden with a wide variety of playgrounds, community centers, parks, and picnic facilities that they may use for their recreational and leisure purposes.
