Rotary Steak Cook-off this Friday in Fairhope

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Starting at 7 p.m. until “the cows come home,” the annual Fairhope Rotary Steak Cook-Off will hit the streets of downtown Fairhope this Friday.

Since 2005, The Fairhope Rotary Steak Cook-off has brought to Fairhope a unique combination of searing Western BBQ-style steaks, Mardi Gras Carnival atmosphere and a chance to “see and be seen” at one of the most fun annual events hosted on the Eastern Shore.

A whole year’s worth of planning comes together each May when teams of both professional chefs and local luminaries test their epicurean grilling skills on prime ribeye steaks.

The event kicks off on Friday evening when the gracious merchants along South Bancroft Street between the campus of Coastal Alabama Community College and adjacent to Fairhope’s French Quarter shutter their stores and relinquish the street to every manner of wood- and charcoal-fired grills, from custom BBQ trailers to Texas Smokers.

Rules specify that only authentic wood grilling can be used, and as the coals are beginning to get just right, the festival attendees come through the gates and the band starts to get under way.

It is like being invited to the most prestigious tailgate event and then getting to sample everyone’s steaks, while you enjoy their salads and baked potatoes, drink their beer or wine, and dance without having to worry that you are missing the game.

Each year there are usually opportunities for V.I.P. sponsorships, raffles or silent auction events, dancing in the streets, and more fun than is legal at anyplace North of the Mason-Dixon line and maybe just short of Mardi Gras.

The Krickets, an all female band that plays bluegrass, folk and dance music, will be this year’s musical entertainment.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at fairhopesteak.org until 4 p.m. Friday.