Music festival and cookoffs slated

Residents and visitors are invited to spend Saturday, Oct. 7, on the grounds of Sharkey's for a good cause. The sixth annual South Texas Music Fest and Chili, Beans and Barbecue Cook-off will be going on starting at 9 a.m.

Proceeds will go to the Sharkey's/ PALS (Port Aransas Leisure Society) Vocational Scholarship Fund at Port Aransas High School.

Headlining the music that night will be Texas music singer and songwriter Roger Creager. He'll be backed up by Smokey Wilson and Tracy Lynn. Other performers will have toes tapping throughout the afternoon as the savory smells of chili, beans and barbecue simmer on the grounds of Sharkey's, 2600 State Hwy. 361.

Registration for the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sanctioned chili cook-off, the IBCA (International Barbecue Cookers Association) barbecue cook-off and bean cook-off will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Sharkey's.

Entry fee for the chili cook-off is $25 per team, and fee for the bean cook-off is $10 per team. The barbecue competition is divided into three categtories, each with a different entry fee: brisket, $30; pork spareribs, $20; chicken, $20; or all three for $60.

Whether it's chili, beans or barbecue, everything must be cooked on

site. Teams will turn in samples to the judges between noon and 3 p.m depending upon the contest in which the team is entered.

Chili cooks will be striving to earn points that will allow them to compete at the Terlingua Chili Cook-off.

Trophies will be awarded for chili, beans, barbecue and showmanship.

Live music will be featured from noon to 6 p.m. outside on the grounds of Sharkey's. Admission will be free to hear the J.W. George Band, Victims of Circumstance and J.T. Coldfire.

That night, Smokey Wilson, Tracy Lynn and Roger Creager will take to the stage inside starting 8 p.m. A $15 cover will be charged.