FOLEY — Grilling enthusiasts and blues fans have another week of anticipation, awaiting South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual 'Barbecue and Blues Cook-Off'.  Whether your appetite leans towards the spicy live music, or the mouth-watering BBQ, the event is a winner for the patrons and for local schools.

“We have five categories of cooking competition,” said Jeanette Lawrence of the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation.  Included are best 'Chicken', 'Ribs', 'Just Butts' and 'Sauce' . . . with first, second and third prizes to be awarded in each category.

“But the most coveted prize is the People’s Choice,” Lawrence said. Throughout the day of the March 16 event, attendees can taste samplings and vote, paying $1 per vote. The People’s Choice winner is the recipient of the most votes.

“Last year, that was Natural Born Grillers from Magnolia Springs,” Lawrence said.

Additional awards include Overall Grand Champion, Second-Place Reserve and Third-Place Overall.

Last year, 19 teams vied for those awards. Lawrence expects even more competitors this time around.  “We’re ahead of where we were this time last year,” she said of registration.

The Cook-Off will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Heritage Park in Foley. Tickets to attend are $10; admission is free for children 10 and under.  Proceeds benefit the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation.

“With our programs, we support the 10 schools that feed into Foley High School,” Lawrence said.  Those programs garnered $27,000 worth of support from last year’s Cook-Off.

In addition to the food this year, the annual event includes a day filled with blues music.

“We’ve got three great blues bands perfoming,” Lawrence said. That live entertainment includes George Eberlein and the Blues and BBQ Review, Kelly Poole and the Swing Set and the Blues Injectors.

Vendors with arts and crafts, as well as retail booths, will be on hand, too.

“There will also be a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross,” Lawrence said, adding that the drive will be located outside the Cook-Off’s entrance.

For more information o call Lawrence at 251-943-5550 or visit www.sbchamberfoundation.com.