This January 28 – 29, and then February 4-5, you can come eat world-class barbecue with Swamp Boys at 2 of the best events in the state.
The Lakeland Pigfest happens Friday, Jan. 28 from 5:00pm – 10:00pm, and again Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Parking is free and entry is $5, 12 and under are free. Buy Pig Bucks at the booth when you get there, then come find us. 20% of all of our sales will will go to help local charities.
Winter Haven’s Smoke on the Water is Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 – 5. This is a major fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, and 20% of our sales will be going back to the B&G Clubs. Admission on Friday is $10 and is more adult oriented with a party vibe. Saturday is for the family, with admission just $2 and kids 10 and under are free.
Insider tip for both events – come early. We cook all of our bbq fresh onsite, and we will run out before closing time. Also, we can package your food to-go, so you can enjoy it later. And check out this article from 3 years ago on How to Make the Most of a BBQ Contest as a Spectator.
It has been a long process but I am proud to announce that you can now buy Swamp Boys Original BBQ Sauce at selected (205) Publix stores. Publix invited us to take part in their “Florida Local” program which showcases smaller Florida based food companies. Look for us on the Florida Local end cap. And if your Publix doesn’t currently have it, just ask the manager to order it in for you. They will be happy to. Even if you don’t live in Florida, and Publix now has the ability to order it in.
08/10 EDIT: The map is offline. Usage was exceeded and they disabled it. I will be working to create a new map that will not have this problem. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Here is a link to a map showing the Publix stores carrying it (green markers), current independent retailers (red markers), and online only retailers (yellow markers). Zoom in and click on the marker nearest you for more information, or find your city on the list. And thanks for being a key part of the Swamp Boys Nation! CLICK HERE FOR MAP
The first Swamp Boys Q School for 2018 is scheduled!
March 17-18, 2018 is the date for my Q School to be held in Winter Haven, lakefront on Lake Cannon. Come enjoy the perfect weather and learn what I have learned over the past 14 years of competition barbecue. The only 3-time Florida BBQ Association Team of the Year, and 2017 TOTY.
This techniques class will cover both ‘hot and fast’ and ‘low and slow’ methods. FBA and KCBS covered. You want to be the best bbq’r in your neighborhood? Come see me, I’ll make it happen. You want to improve your competition cooking? Let’s do it.
Print the application below (March_18 QSchool), fill it out and mail it in with your check. Need to pay with a credit card? Use the PayPal link. A PayPal account is not required. The PP fee will be added to your total. Still must mail in the application.
Swamp Boys BBQ Team was blessed to have another fun, productive, and charitable year in 2015. We were able to compete in 26 contests, in AL, AZ, FL, GA, NC, TN, TX, and The Hague, Netherlands! I travelled over 24,000 miles, all in the name of barbecue!
We won 2 Grand Championships and 4 Reserve Grand Championships, and a combined 12 top-5 overall finishes.
FBA Florida State Champion 2015
We repeated as the Florida BBQ Association Florida State Champions, and finished 3rd in the FBA Team of the Year race, giving us 10 years of consecutive top 5 finishes.
On the Swamp Boys Q School front I was able to teach 5 classes in FL, IA, AZ and The Hague, NL. I truly enjoy teaching the art and science of BBQ to whoever will listen, wherever they are!
Q School Grads in Netherlands!
Swamp Boys BBQ Sauce sales also set a record, with 4 of the top 5 KCBS Teams of the Year being customers! We were also able to be accepted into the “Fresh From Florida” campaign, as a truly Florida product. I fully expect 2016 to set more records as the good word spreads.
We’re Fresh From Florida!
Through the help of the Swamp Boys Nation (all of you!) we were able to raise almost $7,000 to give directly to 2 dear barbecue friends who each experienced extreme health emergencies in ’15, to help pay their medical bills.
Robin (L) is now a Breast Cancer Survivor!
Jim (R) is recovering from Acute Pancreatitus
And as an outgoing member of Big Poppa Smokers Elite Team, I am honored to be able to present our local kidsPack USA a check for $1,000 from BPS. I regret that this will be my last act as a BPS Elite Team, as the criteria to belong has changed for 2016. However I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to be a part of this charitable group of barbecuers. I hope to be able to continue to support kidsPack through other avenues in 2016.
kidsPack Lakeland
Of course all of this was possible with the help of my sponsors, who have provided me with the best products available: Deep South Smokers, Big Poppa Smokers, Compart Duroc Family Farms, Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal, Grizzly Coolers, GrillGrates, Butcher BBQ, BBQ Guru, 3 Eyz BBQ. I fully recommend all of these products with no reservations. Please talk to me if you have questions about any of them. I will be happy to help! And most of all thank you to my family! Without the love and support of my wife and daughters none of this could have happened. I love you guys, forever.
The date is set, the location is Winter Haven, FL. Exactly where in WH TBA. I hope you’ll be able to join us!
*UPDATE ON VENUE* I now have a location, and it’s just outside of Winter Haven. For those flying in it is 55 minutes from Tampa International and 70 minutes from Orlando International Airports. We will be at the American Legion in Mulberry FL which is the location of “Fine Swine” bbq contest. This is a nice venue with lots of room. There is limited hook-ups for your own motorhome or trailer if you want to stay onsite. Message me for details. There is a Super 8 motel 5 minutes away (863) 425-2500 or a Holiday Inn Express that is 13 minutes away (863) 533-8070. The address of the American Legion is 1500 N Church Ave, Mulberry, FL 33860
If paying by check, mail to the address on the application. If you want to pay by credit card, use this PayPal button. The fee PayPal charges is shown in the price.
