TAMPA — When fans of the Kansas City Chiefs gather at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Saturday night’s Run it Back 2 Back BBQ Tour event, they’ll be supporting causes in the team’s hometown.
Florida-based Chiefs fan club Arrowhead South helped organize the tour as a way for Chiefs fans in town for the Super Bowl, but without tickets to the game, to watch and celebrate together. A VIP charity event takes place Saturday. Sunday, the stadium will host a watch party with the game on the Jumbotron. The outdoor event will follow social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines.
Money from ticket sales to both events will benefit the Kansas City Barbecue Society Foundation. Based in Kansas City, KCBS is the world’s largest organization of barbecue enthusiasts. The nonprofit coordinates competitions, educational programs and operates a foundation which serves two functions: provide scholarships and preserve the history of barbecue.
CEO Emily Detwiler said money raised this weekend will help fund a new scholarship in honor of a longtime KCBS member who recently passed. The organization has given out more than $100,000 in scholarships since the program began. It also coordinates events honoring barbecue’s history.
“It’s our mission to preserve, celebrate and teach about barbecue as America’s cuisine,” Detwiler said.
The event Saturday includes a barbecue meal prepared by Richard Fergola of Gardner, Kansas, and Rub Bagby of Florida, both championship-winning barbecuers. Information about tickets is available online.