Lisa Oneal

Apr 15 2025

Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival 2025-Rescue Smokers takes Grand Championship

Wow—What a Day at Smokin’ on Blackshear!

The GBA was proud to be part of the Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival at the stunning Georgia Veterans State Park. This year, we had the unique opportunity to run two contests in one, and what a turnout it was!

24 Pro Teams and 10 IAW (In Association With) Teams brought the heat, heart, and flavor. With 9 turn-in windows and 33 hardworking judges, and an outstanding GBA Rep Team that included the Warren’s Warren Phelps And Warren Abrams, and Brian Bond along with assistance Jerry and Ewa Belcastro, we pulled off an incredible day of BBQ magic.

Huge thanks to Linda Hawkins and her amazing organizing team—your hospitality and effort made everything run like clockwork. We’re so grateful for your dedication!

This wasn’t just about the competition—it was about community and camaraderie. Everyone had a blast, and the spirit of BBQ family was strong.

Pro Division Finals

Grand Champion: Rescue Smokers

Reserve Champion: Leron’s BBQ

Loin Results: 1st Place-Rescue Smokers, 2nd Place-Hot Ash Q, 3rd Place Hog Harris

Pork Results: 1st Place-Leron’s BBQ Competition and Catering, 2nd Place-Big Daddy’s BBQ Pit, 3rd Place-Big Butts BBQ

Ribs Results: 1st Place-The Look and the Cook, 2nd Place-Bite My Butt BBQ, 3rd Place-Rescue Smokers

IAW Division Results

Best of Blackshear (IAW Overall Winner): Meat Show

Loin Results: 1st Place Deez Butts, 2nd Place Smokin Aces, 3rd Place Dad Bod Grillin’ Squad

Pork Results: 1st Place-Meat Show, 2nd Midnight Smokin Crew, 3rd Place-Smokin’ Aces

Ribs Results: 1st Meat Show, 2nd Place Midnight Smokin’ Crew, 3rd Deez Butts

THANK YOU TO our 2025 Georgia BBQ Association TEAM of the YEAR Sponsors – A BETTER BUILT FENCE CO. & DEXTER MEAT CO.

Apr 15 2025

GBA-DYFCA Spring Fest at Shorty Howell Park

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) proudly participated in the DYFCA Spring Fest at Shorty Howell Park in Duluth. The Duluth Youth Football and Cheer Association (DYFCA) hosted this event to raise funds for scholarships that help kids who might not otherwise be able to afford the chance to play football or cheer. What a fantastic cause—and an even better day!

The GBA showed up strong with 11 teams cooking up some incredible chicken and ribs. The competition was fierce, and the flavors were on point!

Chicken Results:

1st Place – Cool Hand Cue, 2nd Place – Off the Chain BBQ, 3rd Place – Zips BBQ

Rib Results:

1st Place – 1909 Mountain Smoke, 2nd Place – Free Smokes BBQ, 3rd Place – Zips BBQ

It was great to head north of Atlanta and give some Metro-area judges a taste of appreciation for all the miles they travel south to support GBA events in Macon and beyond.

It was a proud GBA moment when a few teams refused to accept their prize money and told to the Organizer to pit it in the scholarship fund – you know who you are!

Special shoutout to Brian Bond (Scorer) and Warren Phelps (Assistant Rep)—you two were dialed in and did an outstanding job!

Apr 14 2025

Fire Ant Festival BBQ Bash 2025 – Hold Your Horses takes Grand Championship

The Georgia Barbecue Association was in beautiful Ashburn, Georgia, this weekend for the Annual Fire Ant Festival. This year’s festival theme—“The Greatest ShowAnt”—set the perfect tone for an unforgettable weekend of food, fun, and fierce BBQ competition! The BBQ Bash featured an impressive $12,500 payout for competitors!

Grand Champion – Hold Your Horses BBQ defended their 2024 Fire Ant Festival Grand Championship and kept the title in Pulled Pork! , Yep, Back-to-Back Grand Championships at the Fire Ant Festival!

Reserve Grand Champion – Hog Harris BBQ

THE COMPETITION

A strong field of 33 teams battled it out in the GBA-sanctioned categories: Loin, Pulled Pork, and Ribs. Nine different teams made it to the finals, meaning 28% of the field had a shot at the Grand Championship after the preliminary round!