Portsmouth honors Coast Guard with BBQ

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The City of Portsmouth and the Coast Guard threw a barbecue cook-off in Olde Towne Saturday as part of their Celebration Weekend.

The "Official Coast Guard City Inaugural First Responders BBQ & Slaw Throwdown" was held at High Landing on the Elizabeth River.

Competing restaurants included Brutti's, Gosport Tavern, Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel, Roger Brown's, STILL and Thumper's. The Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth won the best overall award.

Judges for the Throwdown included WAVY-TV & FOX 43 reporter Andy Fox.

The City of Portsmouth received congressional approval for designation by the United States Coast Guard as an official “Coast Guard City” in 2009. The designation makes Portsmouth one of nine cities so recognized.

The Coast Guard Celebration Weekend kicked off Thursday and runs through Sunday. The weekend included a concert by OAR at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion Thursday night, a Counting Crows concert at the Pavilion Saturday night, a Century Cycling Event Saturday afternoon and more. The weekend's events conclude Sunday with a closing ceremony at High Street Landing at 11am.

For more information on the Coast Guard Celebration Weekend click here .