Live Oak — There’s a big barbecue festival coming up at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) this Friday and Saturday. But, before that, one of the top competitors in Florida and a world champion held school last weekend to teach others how to make the best barbecue and most importantly, how to win on this huge barbecue circuit that runs nationwide.

Winter Haven school teacher Rob “Rub” Bagby of the Swamp Boys Championship BBQ Team teaches his techniques and knowledge from time to time so others can jump into the world of championship barbecuing. And there’s always a lot of folks chomping at the bit to give it a whirl!

At the SOSMP July 15-16, Bagby, who got the nickname “Rub” when someone forgot his first name when introducing him and just called Rob “Rub,” taught about a dozen folks how to perfectly barbecue just about everything imaginable from chicken to brisket. Some of those students will return to the SOSMP this weekend, including Bagby, to compete among 45 professional barbecue teams for more than $13,000 in cash and prizes during the 3rd Annual Smokin' On The Suwannee BBQ Festival. The professional barbecue contest is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association.

Bagby says he began cooking at an early age. “I began cooking at age 4 beside my mama,” he points out while teaching his class. He’s come a long way since that time, regularly cooking every Friday morning for folks at the school where he teaches and jumping into barbecue competition in 2003. Since then Bagby has served on the Florida Barbecue Association’s board in almost every position, including president.

Bagby is hoping he’ll be among the winners this weekend. Festival goers are hoping those barbecuing will have lots of extras so visitors may purchase plates full of some of the best barbecue in the world!

Bagby is often among the winners…he won seven state-wide championships in 2009 which qualified him to compete in the prestigious Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational BBQ contest in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Yep, you guessed it, he won the worldwide championship in pork right there in Tennessee! You might say he can easily use the words “professional” and “champion” after his name anytime!

Stop by Swamp Boys Championship BBQ’s bright red cooking trailer and say hello - “Rub” will probably be busy getting his entries ready but he might just wave at you as he’s checking his chicken, Boston butts or other entries. Of course, there’ll be dozens of vendors ready to let you purchase some of their good ole Southern barbecue!

Tickets to this weekend’s festival are $2 at the gate. For more information about the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park or this event, or to make reservations to spend the weekend in one of the SOSMP’s cabins, rent a campsite or RV site, call us at 386-364-1683, email spirit@musicliveshere.com or go to www.musicliveshere.com. You may also contact the SOSMP to inquire about any of the many exciting events coming up this year at the SOSMP such as the 311 Pow Wow, Blackwater Music Festival, Labor day Weekend Get-A-Way, Bear Creek Music and Art Festival and much, much more.

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is located at 3076 95th Drive 4.5 miles north of Live Oak, Fla. off US 129 at the famous Suwannee River. The park is 4.5 miles south of Interstate 75 and 4.5 miles north of Interstate 10 off US 129. Keep an eye out for the SOSMP sign and white painted board fence.