The Boss is back.

Rain or shine, threedozen cooking teams from five states will unload their grills in Waynesboro this weekend to battle for the state championship trophy and squealing rights in the 4th Annual Boss Hog Cook- Off. Oh, yeah ... and $10,000.

The cook-off, which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, is also a qualifier for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbeque Competition.

Come Saturday, all eyes will be on Jus-Fer-Fun, a pair of retired high school teachers from McDonough who sealed a win in Waynesboro last year after turning in the top ribs and brisket entries.

"We're going to cook the best we can and hope we are blessed with the same luck we had last year," team member Dianne Grogan said as she readied for the trip. "There is a luck factor, you know."

She and her husband "Poppa" Sam will be relying on their dry rubs, marinades and low and slow heat from their five Big Green Egg grills.

But luck or not, they're looking forward to catching up with friends they made in Waynesboro, like the guys on the Boro Boys cooking team. "We were really impressed with how nice people are," Dianne said.

Seven Burke County teams are coming back to cook with the pros, including the Fat Boys who learned last year that sanctioned cook-offs aren't for sissies.

"There's a lot that goes on between eleven-thirty and one o'clock," pit master Travis Jenkins said, referencing the frenzied turn-in period for chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. "We'd never competed in a full fledged contest before, and there's a lot to keep up with."

While the Fat Boys don't plan on reworking any recipes, they'll focus more on time management … including an overnight stint with a beef brisket and their signature marinade. "It'll be on the grill for twelve hours," Jenkins said.

Among the first-timers to Waynesboro will be Myron Mixon, the seasoned barbeque man behind Jack's Old South. The Vienna caterer has taken home 30 state titles, three Memphis in May championships and is a three-time whole hog winner in "The Jack."

Another big hitter will come in the form of Bub-Ba-Q - a family from Jasper that is currently ranked second in the nation and has already won five state championships this year.

Pit boss William Latimer says he'll keep to the basics and a Stump's smoker fueled with charcoal and wood chunks.

"My philosophy is stick with basic ingredients that will appeal to the masses," Latimer said. "I keep all my stuff real simple, and I contribute my success to that."

The Latimer family will squeeze in the Waynesboro weekend between running their barbeque restaurant in Jasper and opening another in Woodstock.

Latimer said other teams have been talking up the Boss Hog, and he couldn't pass it up once he realized how close to home it was.

"I enjoy competing too much not to be cooking somewhere," he said. "It's what I do."

BOSS HOG BASICS

Friday, May 8: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday, May 9: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mr. Golf Carts Warehouse and Distribution Center (old Perfection

Building)

Highway 56 North; Waynesboro Tickets $10 at the door on Friday,

$5 on Saturday

Advance discount tickets

available at all local banks

LIVE FROM THE 'BORO

At 5 p.m. Friday, the Channel 6 news crew will begin broadcasting "Your Hometown" live from the cook-off. From 7-9 p.m., radio hosts from The Bull will broadcast from their live remote.

JUDGMENT DAY

The cook-off will draw more than 50 certified judges and KCBS representatives from seven states. They'll spend the better part of Saturday picking the best chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.

KING OF THE WING

Free chicken wings while they last! Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, teams will start smoking, grilling and frying up wings for the masses. Local judges will help pick the best wings in Burke County.

MUSICAL CHAIRS

At 6 p.m. Friday, the Burke County Recreation Department will conduct the county's biggest musical chairs championship. The game is free and open to all ages.

QUEEN OF THE WING

Friday night, a few brave men will strap on high heels for their favorite charities. The winner of the womanless beauty pageant will pocket $100 cash for himself and another $100 for his cause. The theme for the pageant, which is sponsored by Burke County Auto Works, is "Honky Tonk Women." To register call Diana Royal at 706- 466-2218 or email jd.royal@hotmail.com. So far contestants include: "Johnny C" Casarez (Center for New Beginnings), Merv Waldrop (Center for New Beginnings), Mickey Stewart (Wimberly House Ministries), Beaver Sapp (Communities in Schools) and Art Lively (Downtown Organization of Retailers). The winner will help crown the King of the Wing.

A LOT OF BULL

At 9 p.m. Friday, the Burke County Cattlemen's Association will sponsor a mechanical bull riding championship, open to anyone 12 or older. The winner will get free beef … lots of it. Non-contest bull riding will be available for all ages throughout the entire two-day cookoff.

MUTTON BUSTIN'

From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, rough and tumble kids will hop on sheep and try to hold on the longest. The contest, which is open to all kids weighing 60 pounds or less, is sponsored by the Burke County FFA. Register at the entry gate up to two hours before the Bustin' begins. Pre-register by emailing ckennedy@burke.k12.ga.us.

THE RIGHT NOTES

7 p.m. Friday: 17 South Band

11a.m. Saturday: Savannah River Blue Grass Band, sponsored

by Waynesboro-Burke

Concert Series 2 p.m. Saturday: Homegrown

Band

WHO'LL BE THE BOSS?