Boda Getta BBQ

Summer is right around the corner, and what better way to kick it off than a good ole fashioned BBQ? Katie Tynes, Auburn Chamber of Commerce PR & Marketing Intern, is here to tell us all about it!

 

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce is hosting its third Boda Getta BBQ competition at University Station RV Resort off Highway 14 in Auburn on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. This Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event will bring professional and amateur barbecue teams from all over the Southeast to the Plains to compete for the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles. Event proceeds will benefit FACES- The Foundation for Auburn's Continuing Enrichment in Schools- a local non-profit that funds and encourages creative programs in classrooms within Auburn City Schools.

 

 

The two-day competition will boast barbecue in every style and form. For those who consider barbecuing more of a spectator sport, there will be live entertainment throughout the weekend, vendors such as Sweet Bones, Cindy Cakes, Snack Shack and Fork in the Road, LLC, sponsors, antique tractor exhibits, a kids' zone with inflatables and crafts and a children's one-mile Fun Run. General admission tickets will be $5 per person per day at the gate, while children age 15 and under accompanied by parents can attend for free.

 

Professional Teams will have the opportunity to compete for $11,000 in cash prizes along with the Grand Champion title. Amateur "tailgate" teams will compete for the chance to have their team announced as the "Best Tailgaters in Auburn" at the first home football game on the newest and largest college jumbotron in the country.

 

The weekend festivities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday night, with entertainment from the Fountain City Players from 7 to 10:30 p.m. On Saturday morning, children from throughout Auburn City Schools will get an early start at the FACES one-mile fun run. The Kid's Zone will open at 9 a.m. when gates open back up to the general public.

 

Families can meet Travis the Camel and Fred the Alpaca from Fred the Alpaca from Farmer Brown's Party Animals petting zoo from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Kid's Zone will also include a tractor exhibit, inflatables and more. Entertainment from the local Spicer's Music will begin at 11 a.m. and play until the competition winners are announced at 3 p.m.

 



Who is FACES?

All the proceeds from the event will go toward FACES, the Foundation for Auburn's Continuing Enrichment in Schools. FACES is a non-profit organization that promotes innovative opportunities that enrich the educational experiences of students at Auburn City Schools. The Foundation falls under the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and funds mini-grants of up to $600 to teachers promoting programs for classroom experience enhancement. With over 1,000 grand proposals received since its start in 1985, they have given a total of 567 mini-grants to teachers in the amount of over $224,000.

 

Event Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Auburn Rotary Club

Pit Master Sponsor: Prewett Insurance Group

Pit Master Sponsor: Kinnucan's

Backyard Griller Sponsor: MAX Credit Union

 

Auburn Chamber of Commerce

Verge Pipe Media

Alabama Contract Sales

Country's Barbecue

 

For a detailed schedule of events or for more information, please visit www.bodagettabbq.com!

 

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

May 5: Koresh Dance Company at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m.

May 7: May Concert Series at Town Creek Park from 6-7:30 p.m.

May 7 & 8: S'More Fun with Mom at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center from 6-8:30 p.m.

May 8-9: Boda Getta BBQ at University Station RV Resort

May 8-10: Auburn Baseball vs. Alabama at Plainsman Park (F: 6 p.m., Sat: 3 p.m., Sun: 1 p.m.)

May 9 & 10: Auburn University Graduation ceremonies at the Auburn Arena

May 9: Garden in the Park at the Opelika Municipal Park from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.





 

Find Your Flavor - Farmer's Markets in Auburn & Opelika

Red, plump strawberries. Greener than green zucchinis. Sweet, golden honey. Local, fresh, delicious produce everywhere you turn. Welcome to summertime in Alabama – the season of farmer’s markets.

Auburn and Opelika are home to many farmers markets, some seasonal and others year round. 

Alabama has more than 48,500 farms throughout the state, covering about 9 million acres. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farmers markets have some of the freshest and best produce around because the produce is grown close to where you live. As a result, you have access to more fruits and vegetables at the peak of the growing season, and it’ll taste better because it hasn’t been sitting in a supermarket! You also help the community grow, as locally-owned retailers (including farmers) return more than three times of their sales back to the community as compared to chain competitors according to this infographic.

Here’s where you can go in Auburn and Opelika to taste the goodness for yourself.

Year-Round

These farmers markets are open year-round, and offer plenty of diversity at great prices.

Photo courtesy of Market at Blooming
Colors Facebook page.

Market at Blooming Colors / 1192 S Donahue Dr, Auburn, AL 36832 / (334) 887-0887

The Market at Blooming Colors features fresh Auburn-grown vegetables, including several pepper varieties, watermelons, vine ripened tomatoes and more. They also sell organic blueberries, sweet peaches and shelled peas among other specials! The Market at Blooming Colors is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and from 10:00 - 6:00 on Sunday.

Parkway Farmers Market / 3829 Pepperell Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801 / (334) 737-2080

The Parkway Farmers Market, across the street from Mandarin House, is one of Auburn and Opelika’s best kept secrets. With plenty of fresh and frozen local produce and Southern favorites like fatback and okra, the Parkway Farmers Market is a must-try market. They also have seasonal plants for sale outside, and have an excellent selection of pumpkins come Halloween! The Parkway Farmers Market is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Opelika Farmers Market / 411 S. 10th St., Opelika, AL 36801 / (334) 705-0010 
Yes, Opelika has a year-round farmers market too! Found in downtown Opelika, this farmers market offers some of the freshest produce in the city. Featuring local and seasonal fruits and vegetables, be sure to stop by for your grocery shopping and to pick up a few delicious treats!


Seasonal Markets

Opelika Main Street Farmer’s Market / Lee County Courthouse Square /
(334) 745-0466

The Opelika Main Street Farmers Market begins on June 3, 2014 at 3 p.m. and goes until the end of the season. Come walk around the square each Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. to find delicious produce like heirloom tomatoes and zucchini. Vendors even sell local honey and homemade ice cream. Depending on the year's crop, the market may continue through September or until produce is depleted. Look for further updates about the end date at opelikamainstreet.com.

The Market at Ag Heritage Park / corner of Lem Morrison and Donahue / (334) 321-1603

The Market at Ag Heritage Park will open the 2014 season Thursday, May 8 at 3 p.m. Find fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and other goods at the market every Thursday through August 21.

The Market at Ag Heritage Park was started in 2005 and in the years since has become a favorite summertime tradition for the Auburn community. Hosted by the College of Agriculture, The Market features local farmers offering seasonal, fresh-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables, as well as other delicious treats like goat cheese and beautiful cut flowers.