Battle Below the Clouds

‘Meat up’ at Ruby Falls Saturday for barbecue cookoff

Twelve teams of backyard barbecuers are competing in the third amateur barbecue competition at Ruby Falls on Saturday, April 29.

Battle Below the Clouds gets underway when participants begin grilling at 6 a.m. Meat is provided for the teams. Independent judging starts at 5 p.m. followed by awards for Best Pulled Pork, Best Ribs and Grand Champion.

The event is free to spectators, who are encouraged to come cheer on their favorite team. However, meat will not be sold to visitors.

There will be plenty of fun with drawings for a Big Green Egg and Yeti cooler, giveaways and free products at the Coca-Cola tent. The Von Wamps will play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Mountain Creek House Fire from 2 to 4 p.m.

All division champs from 2016’s Battle Below the Clouds are returning to defend their titles.

Ji m Brewer’s t eam, Two Twins BarBQ , was last year’s Grand Champion. Steve Coffman and Good Fellows won Best Butts. R& R Flavor Train and Ross Ballenger will be cooking to keep their Best Ribs trophy.

In addition to crowning three kings of the grill, Battle Below the Clouds is a fundraiser for Lana’s Love Foundation, which fights pediatric cancer and assists families of cancer patients.

“Our Lana’s Love mission has always been to provide fun to children and their families battling cancer in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas,” says Holly Shull, director of Lana’s Love Foundation.

“Through the support of our community sponsors and donors, Lana’s Love has grown to be so much more. It has become a true support system between families, volunteers and hospital staff. These families look forward to the monthly events where they can relax and forget about life for awhile.”