Page 26 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2018

COASTNOTES
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra
here’s nothing quite like friendly competition (and great barbecue), and Barbecue Under the Oaks is the perfect mixture of the two. This year marks the 30th year of the event, which takes place on April 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event was graciously hosted at the Pass Christian home of Peggy and Don Sprabery for many years but moved to Centennial Plaza in Gulfport a few years ago.
In honor of the event’s 30th anniversary, the number of judges will be upped from three to ten judges. Unlike past years the identity of these judges will not be hidden, but instead community leaders will take the stage as celebrity judges.
Each year around 30 teams, known as Ribmeisters, compete to create the most succulent, fall-off-the bone barbecue delicacies and “fixins” that will wow the crowds. No one leaves hungry after sampling each of the many barbecue delicacies.
“Ribmeister teams prepare for the event long in advance, and many of them fire up their grills and smokers in the dark of night to slow smoke their ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and other offerings long before the crowds arrive,” said Dhiana Skrmetti, executive director of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra.
The event is the sole fundraiser for the Symphony and helps to fund not only its concerts
but its programs as well. The Symphony’s Youth Orchestra currently engages more than 1,200 students in Harrison and Jackson counties, but according to Skrmetti there are children in South Mississippi who haven’t been reached. “We want to truly be a ‘Gulf Coast’ Symphony,” Skrmetti said. “We are currently involved in Harrison
and Jackson counties, but we want to be able to engage students in Hancock county as well.”
In addition to all the tasty barbecue you can
eat, there will be select auction items and prize drawings throughout the day.
Barbecue Under the Oaks tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Advance tickets
can be purchased by calling 228.896.4276. For information on Barbecue sponsorships, please call the Symphony office or visit the web site.
Centennial Plaza
200 E. Beach Blvd., Gulfport
26 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2018
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Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra
228.896.4276 www.gulfcoastsymphony.net