It’s that time of year again. As summer turns to fall and the haze of the Hollow begins to lift, Lynchburg, Tennessee, is getting ready for another weekend known simply as “The Jack.”

More than 25,000 barbecue fans are expected to arrive on Friday, October 22, and Saturday, October 23, to watch as some 80 championship barbecue teams from across the United States and from around the world will compete for the Grand Champion title at the 22nd Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Winners of the Jack Daniel’s Invitational, considered one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions in the world, will earn not only ultimate bragging rights but also more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.

Qualifying teams will be competing in eight categories: Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder/Butts, Beef Brisket, Chicken, Dessert, Cook’s Choice and Jack Daniel’s Sauce. The 2009 Jack Daniel’s world grand champion and the 2010 champion from Memphis in May, American Royal Open and Houston World’s Championship Bar-B-Que, received automatic invitations.

Vendors will be on hand to sell roasted corn, homemade fried fruit pies, funnel cakes, ice cream, and many other mouth-watering delicacies. Spectators are encouraged to compete in the Country Dog Contest (canines only!), Bung Pitching and Butt Bowling, while folks from Brown-Forman Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky, will be on hand to demonstrate how they “raise” the barrels that are used to mature Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey!

The event starts Saturday at 9:00 a.m., with judging at 11:30 a.m. and awards presentations at 5:00 p.m. (CST).  Although admission to the Barbecue is free, a donation to the Moore County Schools is appreciated as you enter the competition site located just off the Square. Parking is available at the Moore County High School. The school is charging a small fee for parking, but there are free shuttles to the Lynchburg Town Square.  (Handicapped parking with special shuttle bus is at the high school.)

The Jack Daniel Distillery will give its free tours from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day.

For those who might need lodging overnight, please check out area accommodations.

For more information, call the Barbecue hotline at (931) 759-6930.