Beer-lympics, cookoff at beer festival

Light the torch! The Beer-lympics and Chun Ji BBQ Short Ribs Cookoff are coming to the 2nd Annual Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival on Oct. 6, 2018, at Garapan Fishing Base.

The deadline to register with the Marianas Visitors Authority is Friday, Sept. 28, at 4pm.

The Beer-lympics from 8pm to 9pm will welcome up to 10 teams of four participants each that will compete in a series of obstacles or stages. Prizes will be $200 worth of festival tokens for first place, $150 worth of festival tokens for second place, and $100 of festival tokens for third place.

The Chun Ji BBQ Short Ribs Cookoff will challenge six teams of one or two participants to prepare on site the best-tasting and best-plated ribs, served with two side dishes. The competition will be from 5pm to 6pm and contestants must provide their own grill, charcoal, ingredients, and other necessities. Prizes will be $50 worth of festival tokens for first place, $40 worth of festival tokens for second place, and $30 of festival tokens for third place.

Winners will also receive giveaways from the MVA, and participants will be selected by the MVA. Complete rules, applications, and waiver forms are available on The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com.

“We strongly feel the Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival has the potential to grow to become a major signature event, and the introduction of the Beer-lympics and the Chung Ji BBQ Short Ribs Cookoff are a move in that direction,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “This year’s event is going to offer all that the inaugural festival offered and much more! We encourage all interested competitors to submit their applications by [Sept. 28] for consideration. We thank our partners Roil Soil for hosting the Beer-lympics and Chun Ji Korean BBQ Restaurant for sponsoring the Chun Ji BBQ Short Ribs Cookoff.”

The Marianas Beer & BBQ festival will be held at Garapan Fishing Base and is free and open to all ages, but individuals must purchase a package to consume alcohol. The legal drinking age in the Marianas is 21. The $25 package includes two 12 oz. servings of beer or wine; two 4 oz. samples of beer or wine; one chaser, and an official Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival collectible beer glass. The $50 package includes three 12 oz. servings of beer or wine; three 4 oz. samples of beer or wine; two chasers, an official Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival collectible beer glass, and an official Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival T-shirt. Festival tickets are available at the MVA office on Beach Road, San Jose.

All alcohol must be served in the official 2018 festival beer class. Additional purchases will be $5 per 12 oz. beer or wine serving, $1 for soda or water, and $1-$10 for chasers.

Saipan Brewing Co., Marpac, I Love Saipan, Westco, and Franken Brau have all confirmed to participate in the event, which pairs Marianas brews with island-style barbecue and other appetizers and is an annual signature event of the MVA. Slated to provide a variety of chasers for the events are Mystique Snack Bar, Ina’s Kitchen, The Hut, and Salty’s.

This year’s festival will again include the participation of Taiwan’s famous Fourplay Cuisine & Bar. Fourplay bar leader Moriz Wu and attendant Sion Wu will be on hand to debut new signature beer cocktails for the Marianas using locally brewed Saipan Brewing beer.

The festival is scheduled from 5pm to 11pm and will also feature live music and games. For more information, contact Community Projects specialist Ray Villagomez of the MVA at 1 (670) 664-3200/1 or rvillagomez@mymarianas.com or visit The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com. (MVA)