The 4th annual Sherman’s Last Burning Fall Festival and BBQ Cook-Off hosted by the Covington Lions Club will begin Friday at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Field on Mill Street. On Saturday gates open at 10 a.m. and the festivities last until 10 p.m. The gate fee is $4 and children under 12 enter free
More than 30 professional barbecue competitors in the National Kansas City Barbecue Society will compete in several different categories including brisket, chicken, pork and rib.
An Iron Chef style cook-off will take place at 5 p.m. Friday. This year amateurs can test their abilities at making succulent chicken and ribs in the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off at 11 a.m. Saturday.
New this year is the addition of Jr. Idol for ages 17 and under. Jr. Idol will begin at 6 p.m. Friday with awards being given at 8:30 p.m. The Covington Idol singing competition remains for ages 18 and older and will begin at 2 p.m. with awards being presented at 5:45 p.m. Also new this year is a "Battle of the Bands" where the top five bands will perform on Saturday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for cash prizes.
The Lions also welcome back Jason Clark of the Southeastern Reptile Rescue, who will present two live shows at noon and 5 p.m. Saturday.
More than 75 arts and crafts vendors from all over the Southeast will show off their wares at the event as well. The two-day event will feature a myriad of other activities and services including free eye exams, a Ms. Hazzard Beauty Pageant (11 a.m. Saturday), Kiddie Corner, food court and various raffles including one for a hand-made queen-sized quilt to assist with the purchase of cutting-edge bullet-proof vests for Newton County Sheriffs’ deputies.
The annual event helps Lions support the Georgia Lighthouse Foundation, which provides community vision screening and literature; the Emory Children’s Eye Center, which offers cutting-edge genetic research and operations for children; Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and Dyslexic, which provides personal growth experiences for children, teens and adults with visual impairments through the use of recreation, education, socialization and rehabilitation in an outdoor setting; Leader Dogs for the Blind; Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF); The Georgia Lions All State Band; Girls & Boys State; and scholarships for two graduating seniors from Alcovy, Eastside and Newton High Schools. Lions will collect unused eyeglasses, hearing aids and cell phones for the needy at this event.
For more information, visit www.covingtongalions.org or call (770) 860-1414.
