Author's posts
Apr 15 2025
GBA-DYFCA Spring Fest at Shorty Howell Park
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) proudly participated in the DYFCA Spring Fest at Shorty Howell Park in Duluth. The Duluth Youth Football and Cheer Association (DYFCA) hosted this event to raise funds for scholarships that help kids who might not otherwise be able to afford the chance to play football or cheer. What a fantastic cause—and an even better day!
The GBA showed up strong with 11 teams cooking up some incredible chicken and ribs. The competition was fierce, and the flavors were on point!
Chicken Results:
1st Place – Cool Hand Cue, 2nd Place – Off the Chain BBQ, 3rd Place – Zips BBQ
Rib Results:
1st Place – 1909 Mountain Smoke, 2nd Place – Free Smokes BBQ, 3rd Place – Zips BBQ
It was great to head north of Atlanta and give some Metro-area judges a taste of appreciation for all the miles they travel south to support GBA events in Macon and beyond.
It was a proud GBA moment when a few teams refused to accept their prize money and told to the Organizer to pit it in the scholarship fund – you know who you are!
Special shoutout to Brian Bond (Scorer) and Warren Phelps (Assistant Rep)—you two were dialed in and did an outstanding job!
Apr 14 2025
Fire Ant Festival BBQ Bash 2025 – Hold Your Horses takes Grand Championship
The Georgia Barbecue Association was in beautiful Ashburn, Georgia, this weekend for the Annual Fire Ant Festival. This year’s festival theme—“The Greatest ShowAnt”—set the perfect tone for an unforgettable weekend of food, fun, and fierce BBQ competition! The BBQ Bash featured an impressive $12,500 payout for competitors!
Grand Champion – Hold Your Horses BBQ defended their 2024 Fire Ant Festival Grand Championship and kept the title in Pulled Pork!
, Yep, Back-to-Back Grand Championships at the Fire Ant Festival!
Reserve Grand Champion – Hog Harris BBQ
THE COMPETITION
A strong field of 33 teams battled it out in the GBA-sanctioned categories: Loin, Pulled Pork, and Ribs. Nine different teams made it to the finals, meaning 28% of the field had a shot at the Grand Championship after the preliminary round!
Loin Results –
1st Place Hog Harris BBQ, 2nd Place Place Meat By The Fire, 3rd Place K&E’s Little Smokers
Pulled Pork Results – 1st Place Hold Your Horses BBQ , 2nd Place Real-Licious Q, 3rd Place The Look and the Cook BBQ
Rib Results – 1st Place Flying B BBQ, , 2nd Place Leron’s BBQ, 3rd Place Hot Ash Q
Brisket Champion – Come ‘n Get It
Kids Burger Challenge Champion – Ella Mizell of Heavy Metal Hogs!
People’s Choice: Leron’s BBQ
THANK YOU TO our 2025 Georgia BBQ Association TEAM of the YEAR Sponsors – A BETTER BUILT FENCE CO. & DEXTER MEAT CO.
