It’s August in Alabama, and that means hot. It means hot days filled with sweltering temperatures. It means the young and hot are out in their skimpiest outfits. It also means that once again, hot flames are being fanned at Sloss Furnaces, and not in an attempt to make iron once more.
I speak, of course, of the seventh annual Stokin’ the Fire BBQ festival, which returns to the hallowed walkways of the furnaces this weekend. About 70 teams will converge on the historic landmark to compete in that time-honored tradition, competitive barbecue. Sauces will flow, butts will be smoked and at the end of the day, one enterprising and very sweaty winner will be crowned king of the grill.
Attendees to the festival will have an opportunity to sample the vast array of tasty vittles being produced by competitors, and they can vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice Competition.
Sloss Furnaces 2011 Stokin’ The Fire BBQ Festival Schedule of Events
Gates Open: 11 a.m.
BBQ Competition Events: 12 p.m.—BBQ Cook Team People’s Choice Competition begins (see details below) 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m.—BBQ Competition (Chicken, Ribs & Butt) Judging begins 5 p.m.—BBQ Cook Team People’s Choice Competition Ends 8 p.m.–9 p.m.—BBQ Awards ceremony (Location: Hog Wild Music Stage, Cast Shed #1)
Kids Zone: 11 a.m.–Close—Face Painting, Water Slide, Hair Painting, Crafts & Sand Treasure Hunt
VIP Area: 11 a.m.–Close—$35 pass required for 1 meal and 4 drinks, seating area & music
Food & Merchandise Vendors: 11 a.m.–Close Votes will cost $1, and all proceeds will benefit tornado relief efforts and the Sloss Furnaces Foundation.
It’s not all chicken, beef and pork, for you non meatitarians. Free the Hops members will be there offering craft beer samples, and food and beverages outside the scope of the competition will also be available.
The festival also features a line-up of live music, including Culture Dred, Newgrass Troubadours, the Rhythms and the Association of Cajun Music Enthusiasts with Lil’ Malcolm and the Zydeco House Rockers.
Still need an excuse? How about celebrities? Mayor William Bell and talk-show host Wendy Williams will be present as celebrity judges.
For more information, visit www.slossfurnaces.com/stokin.
Entertainment Events (Hog Wild Music Stage/Cast Shed #1) 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.—Culture Dred (Reggae) 12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.—New Grass Troubadours (BlueGrass) 2:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.—Association of Cajun Music Enthusiasts with Lil’ Malcolm and the Zydeco House Rockers 5 p.m.–6:45 p.m.—The Rhythms (Motown) 7:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.—Wendy Williams Appearance 8 p.m.–9 p.m.—BBQ Awards Presentation
Gates Close: 9 p.m.
People’s Choice Competition Details (12 p.m.–5 p.m., located by Spray Pond–see event map)
The People’s Choice competition gives the public an opportunity to taste BBQ prepared by participating Stokin’ The Fire cook teams.
VOTING: The public can electively vote by placing a dollar bill in the ballot box designated for their favorite bbq sample. The winner with the most $1 votes will win. Please note, all


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There are a lot of vodkas out there. And every one is trying to catch your eye, with refreshing marketing, stylish bottles and happening events. This is due to the above noted fact, that the product is far more or less very same, and hence, marketing plays a big role.
Okay Christian Louboutin Prorata 90mm. Now because we are clear about what vodka really is, lets appear at a number of the brands. (Should you are interested additional about the history and other nuances of Vodka, read my post 'All About Vodka') I am not affiliated with any of them and I have no specific favourite among them either. So be assured that whatever is said herein is entirely unbiased and within the ideal interest of vodka.
Lets start off using the world finest selling vodka. Remember, the phrase is 'best selling', it doesn't make the top vodka on the planet. I guess just about every vodka drinker knows it. Smirnoff. Smirnoff was the very first American brand of Vodka, which was bought more than from Vladimir Smirnov of Russia. The Smirnoff No Christian Louboutin Lady Peep 150mm Black. 21 may be the most widely sold vodka in the globe and is an extremely very good example of classical vodka. It has little discerning character, and does not pamper you with slight flavours or a mellow follow by way of. If you don't like to believe too significantly and are on a budget, this really is the vodka to go for. Have it chilled and encounter the Russian in you. Smirnoff also comes in blue and black labels which are of increasing strength. It has also launched numerous flavoured vodkas such as Green Apple Twist, Citrus Twist, Lemon Twist and quite a few more Christian Louboutin Bianca 140mm Nude. They're terrific to have in martinis and light cocktails.
Next up, Grey Groose. Now this really is on that has had its fair share of Hollywood exposure. You may hear almost every single celebrity asking for a Grey Goose Martini. This vodka brand is truly a marketing brilliance. Winter wheat getting distilled with natural spring waters in a French Distillery is surely going to make some heads turn. It truly is this approach to vodka, that has made Grey Goose a brand to reckon with. But, absolutely nothing to be taken away, this really is really excellent vodka to have inside your martini. It comes in three flavours: L'Orange, Le Citron and La Vanille. The Citron is wonderful to have in a Lemon Drop Martini.
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Next on the list is Belvedere. This really is a Polish vodka. Even so, unlike other Polish vodka this one is made from rye rather than potatoes. The specialists are generally confused about this 1. Quite a few hold it in high regard, even though other people suggest that the other brands mentioned here, are far superior Christian Louboutin red patent calf So Private 120mm slingbacks. For the record, I like it. Nonetheless 1 could argue that with so quite a few distinctive brands with superior marketing and “brand appeal”, this vodka nonetheless leaves you with something to desire much more from.
Our last entry on this discussion would be Belvedere's sibling: Chopin. Having said that, unlike its sibling, Chopin is made from potatoes; the way authentic polish vodka should Christian Louboutin Bianca 140mm Amethyste. Even though for lots of years, potato based vodkas have already been frowned upon by Russians as inferior, the truth lies inside the fact, that using the right distillery, whatever be the ingredient, you may produce superior vodka. And Chopin is a superb example with the same. This vodka is crisp and has a sweet and sour green apple tinge to it Christian Louboutin Rolando 120mm. It's the only potato based vodka that is held with such high regard and just for this sake, I urge you to try it at least when. Your Polish experience will absolutely be worth it.
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