Who will be the next deep-fried BBQ champion?

Contestants compete to see who can eat the most deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes during the 2013 inaugural competition. 

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Registration is now open for those wishing to compete in this year's Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship. The competition will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 24, during the Exit 56 Blues Fest held at the  Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Drew Magruder of Brownsville, Tenn., won the title of champion last year when he was able to eat 60 deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes. Magruder was among four who competed for the title during the inaugural event.

"People are always asking about our deep-fried barbecue," says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. "It's really delicious and if you're a barbecue fan, you can't help but like the deep-fried version."

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.exit56blues.com.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Performers such as the Bonafide Blues Band, Eric Hughes, Elam McKnight, Lorina McMinn and the Myxx and headliners Little Boys Blue will delight with their special mix of authentic Blues music.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for recognition such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free. A complete schedule is available online at www.Exit56Blues.com.

Director earns TMP, FEP certifications

Southeast Tourism Society President Bill Hardman presents Sonia Outlaw-Clark with her Travel Marketing Professional diploma Tuesday,  March 19, at the Southeast Tourism Society Spring Symposium in Atlanta, Ga. Also pictured is Angie Briggs, vice-president of Miles Media, presenting sponsors of STS Marketing College.

Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, has earned certification as a “Travel Marketing Professional” (TMP) after completing the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College.

Clark was one of 47 new TMPs recognized at the STS spring meeting in Atlanta, Ga., Tuesday, March 19.  STS Marketing College started in 1992, and 749 people have earned TMP certification. Clark was also recognized and presented a certification in festival and event planning.

Sonia Outlaw-Clark (pictured second from left) is among seven Travel Marketing Professionals who also earned certification as Festival and Events Planner during the spring meeting of the Southeast Tourism Society in Atlanta, Ga., March 19.

The STS Marketing College is a professional development program that for one week each summer turns the facilities of North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Ga., into a laboratory to teach tourism marketing.

Instructors are working professionals in the travel industry such as convention and visitors bureau executives, public relations practitioners, sales and marketing consultants and research experts.