(Chelsea Update would like to thank Monica Monsma for the information in this story.)
The Smoke & Ale Fall Festival will take place Oct.12-13 at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 W. Old US-12, presented by Smokehouse 52 BBQ and Lehman & Scheffler Real Estate Services
Calling all BBQ and beer enthusiasts, BBQ teams from across the region will vie for their share of the $6,000 prize money and the “Champion at the Smoke & Ale Fall Festival” Title.
Enjoy Michigan’s renowned craft beers, local wines, live music, cornhole tournament, cornbread cook-off, food trucks and kid zone. Most activities will be held indoors, so it’ll be a fantastic time in any weather.
And all these events are in need of volunteers. If you are interested, please click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084caeab28a0fa7-2018
The beer festival features local Michigan ales and ciders that are sure to please the finest craft beer palates. Live music by Metro Soul Band, Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Junkies, Mo’ Easy, Root Doctors and Sharon Broyles sets the tone for this upbeat fall event, and a great kid zone to entertain the entire family.
The Cornhole Classic is a great event! Participate as a competitor and win cash prizes, or as a spectator. If you are interested in competing please register by going to the Chamber website: link to register
Bring your best savory or sweet cornbread and enter the Cornbread Cookoff. Registrants can pick complimentary boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix, take it home and bake up their best recipes. Bakers can enter the sweet and/or savory categories. Call 734-475-1145 to reserve your free cornbread mix. link to register
The BBQ contests are open to everyone – bring your best chicken, pork ribs, pork butt or shoulder, and beef brisket and enter the Friday Backyard BBQ contest or the Professional Master Series on Saturday. Both contests are sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). KCBS sanctions BBQ and Grilling competitions across the U.S. and promotes barbeque as America’s cuisine. It is the largest society of barbeque enthusiasts in the world.
Experience Michigan beers, ciders and wines from
- Bell’s Brewery
- Founder’s Brewing Co.
- Dark Horse Brewing Co.
- Arcadia Ales
- Arbor Brewing
- North Peak Brewing
- Mountain Town Brewing Company
- Sietsema Orchards
- Witch’s Hat Brewing Co.
- Bitter Old Fecker Rustic Ales
- Sandhill Crane Vineyards
- Brewery Vivant
Schedule of Events – Friday, Oct. 12
5:00 p.m. Backyard BBQ Competition – open to novice and experienced cooks. For a copy of rules and more information, email [email protected]
5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Enjoy food from Whiskey Jack’s BBQ, Smokehouse 52 BBQ, Hotel Hickman, Awesome Dogs, Lakehouse Bakery, Thompson’s Pizza, Michigan craft beers and wine
6:00 -7:30 p.m. Live music from Mo’ Easy
8:00 -9:30 p.m. Live music from Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Johnnies
Schedule of Events – Saturday, Oct. 13
noon – 10 p.m. Enjoy Michigan craft beer and wine; food from Whiskey Jack’s BBQ, Smokehouse 52 BBQ, Big Kahuna Burger, Awesome Dogs, Hotel Hickman, Girl Scouts Bake Sale, Lakehouse Bakery and Thompson’s Pizza.
noon – 2 p.m. The Professional Master Series Sanctioned Contest entries and judging. KCBS scores entries based on blind tastings by a panel of judges and a nine-point scale. Register at Register
noon – 5 p.m. Indoor Cornhole Classic competition with prizes for 1st through 5th place. Cornhole is located next to the craft beer barn. Register
The kid zone is open featuring: slime stations, ATA Martial Arts demonstration, bike skills course, rubber ducky pond, magic shows, corn hole, Ballet Chelsea dancers, balloon art and a visit from a princess.
12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Dangerous Dan Pirate Magic Show in the kid zone
12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Live music from Sharon Broyles on the hammered dulcimer
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Live music from the Blue Rays
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Meet a real princess in the kid zone
3:30 – 5 p.m. Cornbread cookoff awards, KCBS Professional Master Series Awards – over $6,000 in prizes
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Live music from Root Doctors
7:00-9:30 p.m. Live music from Metro Soul Band
Visit: Smoke&Ale, email: [email protected], www.facebook.com/smokeandale., or call (734) 475-1145 for more information.
Interested in volunteering? Email [email protected] for details.
This event is a fundraiser for the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
