Firebox 2nd Annual BBQ on the Bluff Invitational

The 2nd Annual BBQ on the Bluff Invitational, born out of a prior St. Simons Food + Spirits Festival event, will take place from October 4-6 to provide raise funds for The Firebox Initiative, a non-profit organization founded by Southern Soul Barbeque's Griffin Bufkin and Harrison Sapp to provide grants to employees of the hospitality community in Coastal Georgia. The Firebox fund will help service industry employees who are in financial need because of an illness, accident, or due to natural disaster. It will also provide direct grants to restaurant employees who need assistance paying for funeral arrangements for immediate family members. Their goal is to additionally be able to provide local scholarship opportunities to qualified applicants.

October 4 

Southern Soul Barbeque’s Pitmaster Dinner **this event takes place at Southern Soul Barbeque** 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Virgil Kaine and Wild Heaven Beer 

The boozy BBQ kickoff event to the weekend’s FIREBOX festivities. This year, celebrated Chef Benjamin “BJ” Dennis out of Charleston, SC will join the Southern Soul crew in the kitchen and smokehouse as they lay out a spread that pairs up perfectly with Wild Heaven Beer’s taps and the Virgil Kaine bourbon portfolio. On the beverage tip, joining the fun for the fifth consecutive year, is Sarah Young with the award-winning Wild Heaven Beer out of Avondale Estates, GA, and returning for the third year, Mr. David Szlam, proprietor of the outstanding Virgil Kaine Lowcountry Whiskey Co., purveyors of fine bourbons and rye. This is an all-inclusive event with all food & beverage tastings included in the ticket price. Tickets are $50 per person. 

×

Expand

Julie Andrew

October 5 

The Firebox Oyster Cracker  7:00 – 11:00 p.m. 

Sponsored by Piedmont Brewing, Sea Island Forge and Union Wine Co. 

Grab an oyster knife and prepare to start cracking open all-you-can-shuck-and-eat briny, local McIntosh fire-roasted oysters, the gold standard in the Golden Isles for oyster roasts. Piedmont Brewing has brewed a traditional oyster stout specially for the occasion and the Pitmasters are cooking up some smoky seafood dishes as well. Pass the saltines and cocktail sauce and start crackin’! This is an all-inclusive event with all food & beverage tastings included in the ticket price. Tickets are $50 per person. 

October 6

Back in the Day on the Bluff; Coffee, Biscuits & Bloodys   10 a.m. – 12: 00 p.m.

Sponsored by Back in the Day Bakery, Blackjack Barbecue and Wake Up Coffee 

Rise and shine with the Pitmasters and Cheryl & Griff Day from Savannah’s Back in The Day Bakery. It’s a good morning indeed with homemade buttermilk biscuits accompanied by pulled pork, house-made sausages, jams, jellies, and other surprises in front of the fire. Of course there will also be fresh, hot coffee drinks from Wake Up Coffee and a Bloody Mary bar stocked and served by Food For The Southern Soul, the team behind Mr. Jimmy’s Pick-Me-Up Bloody Mary Mix. This is an all-inclusive event with all food and beverage tastings included in the ticket price. Tickets are $25 per person. 

Pit Class: Day Smoking  1:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Sponsored by Peg Leg Porker, Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Pit Class: Day Smoking brings you the secrets of world-class Pitmasters from around the South during this exciting mid-day class. Enjoy seasoning, sauces, and special tips from the best in the barbecue business. Attendees will also get to sample fare from the Pitmasters and beverage partners This is an all-inclusive event with all food and beverage tastings included in ticket price. Tickets are $75 per person. 

×

Expand

Julie Andrew

October 6 - Firebox BBQ on the Bluff  7:00 – 10:00 p.m. 

Sponsored by Arches Brewing, Holy City Hogs, Southern Soul Barbeque, and Union Wine Co.

The Big Event features an evening of expertly wood-fired BBQ under the mighty oaks of Gascoigne Bluff. While the sun sets over the Frederica River, whole hogs, slabs of spare ribs, juicy pork butts, beef briskets, a variety of local seafood, homemade sausage, sides, plus a whole lot more, will be smoked and served by some of the best Pitmasters from around the South and beyond. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the meat masters and a few extra special guests while you listen to live music by Todd Nance & Friends and sip award-winning spirits, craft beer and wine, and stroll historic grounds that were once home to a Sea Island cotton plantation, lumber mill and shipping point for timber. Nance, the founding drummer for Widespread Panic will be joined by some of his best friends from BLOODKIN and The Drive-By Truckers. The Cpt. Gabby, a vintage 42 ft. wooden trawler, converted and outfitted as a kayak cruiser, will be anchored in the river offering kayak fishing from the pier. This is an all-inclusive event with all food and beverage tastings included in ticket price. Tickets are $50 per person. 

All events will be held under the Spanish moss-draped oak canopy of Gascoigne Bluff with the exception of Thursday night’s Pitmaster Dinner at Southern Soul Barbeque. Make the most of this fantastic three-day invitational and support a cause that can help the members of our community who serve us all by purchasing a $225 VIP Pass that includes food and beverage tastings at all five events.