News

Woody's to celebrate anniversary with rib-eating contest

July 19, 2013

Woody's Bar-B-Q will commemorate 33 years of serving authentic Southern barbecue July 27 by inviting guests to make "total pigs"of themselves. The sloppy celebration begins at noon at participating locations with a Spare Rib Eating Contest as hundreds of rivals compete to see who can devour the most slow-smoked spare ribs slathered in Woody's original bar-b-q sauce within a 10-minute time span. Following the contest, Woody's flagship restaurant, located at 1638 University Boulevard in Jacksonville, Fla., will host a VIP party until 2 p.m., from which all of the proceeds will benefit a non-profit organization called Healing Hands.

More commonly known as the First Coast Child Protection Team, Healing Hands is a local organization comprised of physicians, psychologists, nurses and other medical professionals who diagnose cases of childhood physical and sexual abuse in Northeast Florida. The VIP party is open to everyone who wishes to make a minimum donation of $10 per person — although larger donations will be accepted. Children 10 and under will be admitted for free. The party will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, a celebratory glass of champagne, soda, cake, live entertainment and an appearance by Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson De Ville. Attendees will have an opportunity to take part in a raffle for great prizes and bid on special items and services from local businesses in a silent auction.

"Our Spare Rib Eating Contest has quickly become a favorite event among our Florida fanbase each summer," said Woody's Bar-B-Q co-founder, Yolanda Mills-Mawman. "We are so pleased to have created an extended event to benefit such a worthy organization in the First Coast Child Protection Team. The money we raise will help support their efforts in fostering awareness about child abuse and neglect, and fund their programs geared toward intervention, treatment and – ultimately – prevention of child abuse toward Florida's most innocent victims. We couldn't dream of a better way to celebrate 33 wonderful years than by giving back to the community that has so graciously given us so much, and are extremely grateful to all of the businesses who donated items and services so generously to the raffle and Silent Auction. We predict that this will be a very special event for all involved."

Spare Rib Eating Contest winners will be crowned at participating Florida units; each will receive a $100 "Q Card" gift card. There is no fee to participate and all contestants will receive a commemorative "I'm a Total Pig!" T-shirt.

Read more about promotions.