February 18, 2023 – The EFSC Foundation’s 7th Annual Backyard BBQ Cook-Off and Family Fest held Saturday raised more than $140,000 for Eastern Florida State College student scholarships.
The event took place on the Eastern Florida State College Melbourne campus and featured BBQ samples, live music, children’s activities, vendors, and the Red, White and Wheels car show, a fundraising co-event organized by the Collegiate Veterans Society to benefit student veterans who attend EFSC.
Approximately 1,500 people bought $10 tickets to attend the outdoor BBQ, with the proceeds increased thanks to the generosity of the numerous event sponsors which included Grand Champion Sponsor Community Credit Union; Signature Sponsor Glover, Orndorf & Flanagan Wealth Management; Presenting Sponsor AMKO; Pitmaster Sponsor & Fencing Ajax; Red, White & Wheels Sponsors Mel and Linda Mills and HKS Architects, Inc.; and Titan Sponsors The Viera Company, W+J Construction Group, Carroll Distributing, Health First, Wharton Smith and MH Williams.
“The weather cooperated for a beautiful, fun event. We appreciate all the sponsors, BBQ cook-off teams, volunteers and attendees who showed up in a big way to support student scholarships,” said Tonya Cherry, EFSC Foundation, Executive Director.
“This event has grown every year and we can’t wait to do it again in 2024 so start planning your cook-off team now.”
Congratulations to the 2023 winning BBQ Cook-Off teams, which took home bragging rights and cash prizes that ranged from $100 to $1,500 for the Grand Champion. The coveted Corporate Challenge Golden Pig was won by Lightholder Inc., which knocked off the Viera Company’s team that was aiming for win number four in a row.
Grand Champion: Smoke Meat Every Day
Corporate Challenge People’s Choice: Lightholder Inc.Backyard Team People’s Choice (Sponsored by Wharton-Smith Inc.): Appliance Warehouse
1st Place Pork: Appliance Warehouse
2nd Place Pork: Duece and a Quarter
3rd Place Pork: Fantasy Q
1st Place Ribs: Tricky Pig
2nd Place Ribs: Hold My Rub
3rd Place Ribs: Fantasy Q
1st Place Brisket: Fantasy Q
2nd Place Brisket: Appliance Warehouse
3rd Place Brisket: Lightholder Inc.
Congratulations to those honored in the Red, White and Wheels Car Show:
1989 Models and older:
1st place Kevin Montigue
2nd place John Moore
3rd Place Peter Hill
1990 Models and newer
1st place Bob Livingston
2nd place Joe Matkowski
3rd place Brian Bamba
President’s Choice : Robert Parks
Spectator’s Choice: Donald Beers
Original source can be found here.
