With a rallying call to “Eat, Drink, Shop, Rev, & Rock!”, the second annual Mossman Hall BBQ Brawl will kick off in Melrose on April 18 with an all-day barbecue competition and fundraiser benefitting preservation of the historic building.
According to a press release from the Mossman Home Preservation Foundation (MHPF), teams of “brazen and boastful roasters” will fire their grills at Mossman Hall (301 FL-26, Melrose) in a head-to-head battle across meat categories like brisket, pork, ribs and chicken for The Grand Champion of the 4 Corners title, cash and prizes.
Attendees will sample and vote for their favorite cuts of meat before a panel of celebrity judges, composed of local personalities and community leaders, make the final rankings based on flavor, technique and presentation.
Each $35 entry to the Brawl includes all-you-can-eat BBQ sampling, along with cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad. The first 100 people to purchase wristbands get a free T-shirt for the event, which will also offer live music, an auction, blacksmithing demonstrations, axe throwing, local craft vendors and classic car show.
“Mossman Hall’s BBQ Brawl is more than just great food. It’s a community gathering that combines Florida’s love of barbecue with our mission to teach, advocate for and preserve the arts,” said MHPF Treasurer Stasia Pieczenik in the release. “Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, and a lot of fun for competitors, and we’re excited to make 2026 even bigger and better.”
Built in 1881, the Mary Mossman Home is one of the oldest buildings in Melrose. Mossman Hall was added in the 1920’s as a nondenominational church.
The MHPF nonprofit now aims to maintain local heritage by preserving the Hall and enriching the community with arts education, cultural programs and public events through it. Brawl proceeds will support MHPF’s mission.
“The BBQ Brawl event promises something for everyone from food lovers and car enthusiasts to families and music fans,” the release said. “It’s a smokey, finger-lickin’ showdown where backyard pitmasters and seasoned grill warriors battle for cash and glory while the public feasts on all-you-can-eat BBQ, grooves to live music and shops the local artisans market—all in support of a great cause in Melrose, Florida.”
Event schedule
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Azalea City Cruisers Classic Car Crawl at Heritage Park
2-7 pm – Live music, featuring Potato Clock and Joe Scheerer
3 p.m. – Live auction
4 p.m. – BBQ chicken tasting
4:45 p.m. – BBQ ribs tasting
5:15 p.m. – BBQ pulled pork tasting
6 p.m. – BBQ brisket tasting
7 p.m. – Awards ceremony
Celebrity judge panel:
- Doc Bailey (head judge, event promoter)
- Gordon Smith (Bradford County sheriff)
- Matt “The Welder” (agriculture commissioner candidate)
- Brandon Ludwig (Keystone Heights City Councilman)
- Aaron Baker (Congressional candidate, Cd6)
- Mike Scileppi (RPOF CD6 caucus vice chairman)
- Michael Presley Bobbitt (author, playwright, “Clambassador” of Cedar Key)
- Ron Perkinson (Volusia Top Gun, Hard Deck Restaurant)
- Josh Florence (Putnam County Commission candidate)
- Michael Heeder (former Melrose fire chief)
- JR Grimes (deputy county administrator)
- Ryan Getz (general manager, Fryers Chicken)
- “Hutch” Hutchinson (Wildflowers Music Park)
