The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off is organized by the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. This annual event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and brings professional teams from all over the country to compete for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes. A crowd favorite is the backyard team competition where local amateur teams compete for over $1,000 in cash and prizes. Live entertainment from local and regional bands enhances the experience as the competition heats up.

Proceeds from the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off benefit the Gator Bowl Association.

About the Gator Bowl Association

The Gator Bowl Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose primary charitable activities are focused on education and youth in the North Florida area. Florida’s First Coast schools will receive a portion of special game ticket revenue to support in-school programs. Scholarships are funded for Pop Warner, Take Stock in Children and Tony Boselli Award of Excellence recipients. For more information on the Gator Bowl Association, visit www.gatorbowl.com.

About the Kansas City Barbeque Society

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 14,000 members worldwide. KCBS sanctions over 300 barbeque contests coast-to-coast throughout America. From volunteering to actual event production, their members also offer assistance to civic and charitable organizations who organize events. KCBS serves as a clearinghouse of barbeque information which provides:

• Networking with related trade associations and other contest-sanctioning organizations
• Tracking trends in barbeque related products, and equipment
• Teaming up with other food organizations and the media to promote barbeque

With their library, and extensive archive of barbeque related articles, KCBS offers educational programs, consultation services, and civic organization presentations to help promote barbeque as America's Favorite Cuisine. For more information on KCBS, visit www.kcbs.us.