Written by Chrissy Garner for Travel Tunica

The Smokin Aces’ Festival & BBQ Championship on September 16 -17, 2011 at Harrah’s Casino Tunica is a medley of fun, including:

• Malts & Margaritas at the Double Down Beer-Rita Fest, where for $35 per day you can get unlimited samples of 101 beers and margaritas!
• Meats ~ For only $7, you can taste test & help choose the People’s Choice BBQ winner as teams compete for prizes and entry into the 2012 Memphis in May Barbecue Championship.
• Music ~ Get your dance on with three great area bands ~ Soul Shockers, Venus Mission and Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster!
• Motors ~ The Koss Motorsports Full House Auto Car Show featuring over 125 classes for all years, makes and models of automobiles.  This show is sure to make any Motorhead’s head spin!
• Matches ~ Watch or compete in the American Cornhole Organization’s Texas Hole’em Cornhole Classic!

Whether you like to eat, drink, dance or play, there’s something for everyone! Continue reading for more details on all the upcoming fun…

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The 2nd annual Smokin Aces’ Festival & BBQ Championship will heat up Harrah’s Tunica September 16 – 17, 2011. The festival is open to the public with no fee to enter the festival grounds and portions of festival proceeds will benefit Porter-Leath. Harrah’s Tunica is offering special hotel rates of Sunday – Thursday for $59 and Friday – Saturday for $119. Book online by clicking this link or call 1-800-427-7247 and mention group code S9BBQ11. More information can be found online at www.smokinacesfestival.com.

Events include:

Smokin’ Aces BBQ Championship
Over $40,000 in prizes will be awarded in this Memphis Barbecue Network sanctioned contest. The grand champion receives $12,500 and an entry into the 2012 Memphis in May Barbecue Championship. More information, registration packets, judge request forms, and payout schedules may be found online at www.smokinacesbbqchampionship.com

Koss Motorsports Full House Auto Fest Car Show, Competition, and Poker Run
The Koss MotorSports Full House Auto Fest features over $5,500 in prizes with over 125 classes for all years, makes, and models of automobiles. Antique cars, classic cars, street rods, trucks, motorcycles, imports, sport compacts, and mini trucks will all be on display and competing. Other events associated with the Full House Auto Fest include: Beale Street Cruisin’ September 15 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. with a parade to Harrah’s Tunica led by the Tunica Sherriff’s Office 1940 model police cruiser, IACS Sound Off, Drifting, VIP Show, Autocross, KMS Kuties, and KMS golf tournament. For more information, registration, car classes, prize listings, and hotel package information see http://www.kossmotorsports.com/harrahsresorts.html.

American Cornhole Organization Sanctioned Events
The American Cornhole Organization’s Texas Hole’em ACO Cornhole Classic will feature over $6,500 in prizes, King and Queen of Cornhole Qualifiers for the King and Queen of Cornhole World Championships that will be held at Harrah’s Tunica January 5 – 8, 2012, and spotlight tournaments with $5 entry per player. More information is available online at www.americancornhole.com and www.kingofcornhole.com.

Double Down Beer-Rita Fest and BBQ Tasting
Guests may choose to taste from over 100 beverages which includes beers from around the world, margaritas, and other frozen concoctions in the Double Down Beer-Rita Fest Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. and Saturday from Noon – 4 p.m. Tickets to the Double Down Beer-Rita Fest cost $35 per day and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. The entry fee allows guests a souvenir tasting glass and access to unlimited tasting. Guests may also judge world championship BBQ from the Smokin’ Aces BBQ Championship in the Smokin’ Aces People’s Choice tent from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday. Guests receive four samples of barbecue, a scorecard, and a Pepsi for only $7.

Live Music
Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. local party band the Soul Shockers will entertain the crowd from the main stage. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Venus Mission will get the crowd in a dancing mood before Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster plays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Stay up-to-date on all Smokin Aces Festival information by liking them on Facebook.com/SmokinAcesFestival or visiting them online at www.smokinacesfestival.com.  Or better yet, book your room today!