Gov. Bob Riley has proclaimed the annual Best Buckin Bar-B Q cook-off a state championship contest, according to Diane Lehr, a member of the Southern Crossroads committee, which is conducting this year’s cook-off April 26 at the Sheriff’s Arena.

Southern Crossroads is a non-profit group of local Athens citizens who have come together to put on events that will ultimately benefit local charitable groups in the area. The proceeds from the Best Buckin Bar-B Q cook-off go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama.

 “I just received news today from Jim Cooper of our Southern Crossroads group about the governor’s proclamation and that Rep. Henry White, D-Athens, introduced it on the floor,” said Lehr. “We are thrilled to have this great honor for Athens.”

Lehr said that some 15 professional teams have signed up to compete since the contest was officially sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

“We’ve had two previous cook-offs, but this will be the first sanctioned event,” said Lehr. “It’s our goal to put on more of these events and bring a good time to Athens for various organizations.”

Lehr said the governor’s proclamation is “just huge for this group.”

“The cook-off is sanctioned and with the governor’s proclamation, it ups the ante for professional teams.”

One of those signed to be there is former Athens resident Troy Black, an award-winning barbecue chef and a representative of the Southern Living Magazine professional barbecue team.

Black will kick off that week by holding a “Southern School of Barbecue” April 22 at Athens State University. Read more about the school in Sunday’s News Courier.

“This year we’re also having arts and crafts and live entertainment,” said Lehr. “Willie King of the Alabama Blues Foundation will be here with his band to play. I’m from Memphis and it’s all about Blues and barbecue.”

Lehr said the arts and crafts show would be by invitation only to maintain high quality of craft offerings for sale.