Rub, Sizzle and Grill at The Orleans USA Barbecue Championships 5/21-22

As summer starts to sizzle in Las Vegas, so will The Orleans Hotel and Casino with more than 100 of the world's top-ranked professional grilling teams vie for their piece of the largest barbecue purse totaling $125,000 in prizes at The Orleans USA Barbecue Championships and food festival, May 21 and 22.

The Orleans USA Barbecue Championship is one of many festivals produced by Smoke on the Water Productions, and has attracted more than 45,000 event-goers and over 300 professional and amateur teams every year. This year, professional teams representing 43 states including six from Canada and one from Tokyo will compete in four categories: Brisket, Chicken, Ribs and Pork Butt. Las Vegas Valley local expert barbecue teams such as Trailhound Smoker BBQ, Sin City Smokers and The Smokin' B.A.R. are hoping to take on traditional favorites from the South and win the top $25,000 prize.

"Nothing says summer like good barbecue, and nothing says Las Vegas like a high stakes competition and free live entertainment," said Tony Taeubel, Vice President and General Manager of The Orleans Hotel and Casino. "We look forward to welcoming competitors from all over the world to The Orleans USA Barbecue Championship."

The Orleans USA Barbecue Championships and festival will feature professional and amateur barbecue cook-offs and 40 to 50 of the world's best barbecue vendors, a barbecue expo, live music sponsored by Clear Channel and Budweiser as well as a kid play zone.

The "UNLV 'Ribba Ramma' Amateur Rib Cook-Off" will also be held on the event grounds and for a $10 donation attendees will have the opportunity to sample ribs from five of the amateur competitors, with all donations supporting UNLV Athletics through the Rebel Athletic Fund. The Running Rebels basketball and football teams will also be taking part in the rib cook-off. All backyard grillers are encouraged to compete in the 'Ribba Ramma' contest to become "Nevada's Grilling Guru" or the coveted "People's Choice Champion."

Four-time World Champion and star of TLC's BBQ PITMASTERS, Myron Mixon, will not only be competing for the title of "Grand Champion" but he will also be on hand signing copies of his soon to be released cook book, "SMOKIN' WITH MYRON MIXON: RECIPES MADE EASY FROM THE WINNINGEST MAN IN BARBEQUE."

"At the first-ever national barbecue cook-off in Las Vegas we are looking forward to having all of the fun of a big city while enjoying the small town tastes from backyards around the world," said Ron Cates, president and CEO of Smoke on the Water Productions. "With seasoned professional grillers and amateur challengers vying for the largest purse in barbecue history, The Orleans USA Barbecue Championship promises to be an unforgettable weekend."

The festival is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 21 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 22. For further information on vendors and scheduled appearances visit www.orleansarena.com. For complete rules, regulations or to register professional or amateur teams for the cook-off events visit www.somkeonthewaterbbq.com.

About The Orleans Hotel and Casino
Located at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., The Orleans includes more than a dozen restaurants, an 18-screen movie theater, 70-lane bowling center, 827-seat showroom featuring theater-style seating, and a 9,500-seat Orleans Arena. The property has a 135,000-square foot casino with 60 table games including Blackjack-21, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps and Pai Gow. Guests will also find more than 2,800 slot and video poker machines. Additionally, The Orleans includes a bingo parlor, keno lounge and race and sports book. More information on The Orleans Hotel and Casino can be found at www.orleanscasino.com. The Orleans Hotel and Casino is a property of Boyd Gaming. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming is a leading diversified owner and operator of 16 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana and Louisiana. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

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