Fun in store for families at annual Shelby County Shindig BBQ Cookoff

Story by Lindsay Dyess
Photograph by Keith McCoy

The Shelby County Shindig is just around the corner. It’s back for another year of great barbecue, blues and good family fun. The Shindig is a joint fundraiser between the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Join us on July 15 for Columbiana’s annual barbecue cook-off. This non-sanctioned event brings teams of barbecue enthusiasts together to compete in the categories of best ribs, best sauce, chef’s choice and people’s choice all while supporting a great cause.

Funds raised help keep great SCAC programs like ArtAbilities and “Writing Our Stories” alive. These classes and programs benefit everyone from special needs children, teens at the Juvenile Detention Center and many other area students. The Shelby County Arts Council is committed to reaching out to kids of all ages and creating a positive community effect through art and creativity. The Shindig also supports the efforts of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce and its mission to assisting businesses with growth, education and marketing. Funds also support the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund which awards five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in South Shelby County.

Join us on July 15 for the Shelby County Shindig in beautiful downtown Columbiana. Tickets are $10 and available at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com or the day of the event. There will be a kids zone, local food vendors, music provided by the Magic City Blues society and great barbecue. Bring the whole family. Bring a chair, not a cooler. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the barbecue tasting starts at 4 p.m. For more information on the event, visit Shelbycountyshindig.com.

If you’re looking for some summer fun for the kids check out the summer fine art camps at the Shelby County Arts Council. These camps are perfect for young artists of all skill levels. Campers will have the opportunity to learn about drawing, painting, clay techniques, printmaking, sculpture, collage and music all in a fun and creative environment from Miss Edna Sealy. Students will study the techniques of art masters Alexander Girard and Vincent Van Gogh. Week one camp for ages 5-8 will take place from July 17-21. Week two camp for ages 9-12 will take place from July 24-28. For more information on these camps, visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

Don’t sit around the house this summer. There’s always something fun going on at the Shelby County Arts Council. Check us out!