Whip out the charcoal, check the expiration dates on the seasonings, and grab the lawn chairs — the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber is hosting the first-ever Georgia Grill & Chill festival.

The event will be held Saturday, April 24, from 12 until 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 194 Fairgrounds, off of the Augusta Highway.

The focus of the festival will be a steak grill-off and wine tasting.

A grill master entry form appears elsewhere in this issue of The Lin- coln Journal. The deadline for registration is Monday, March 1, at 5 p.m.

The $100 entry fee includes test steaks, judging steaks, water, electricity, and a Georgia Grill and Chill apron.

Grill master rules and regulations include:

.. Steaks will be judged on taste, appearance, texture, and tenderness.

.. Each team will submit one steak for judging.

.. All teams will be judged and the top 10 teams will advance to the finals.

.. Team attire is mandatory.

The prizes and awards are as follows: First Place, $1,000 and a trophy; Second Place, $500 and a trophy; Third Place, $250 and a trophy; and “Best Team Name,” $100.

In addition to the cooking, there will also be plenty of eating. Anyone who loves a good steak is encouraged to contact the chamber of commerce as soon as possible to purchase tickets for VIP steak dinners. The tickets are $15 in advance, with a limited number of tickets available at the gate.

The chamber is likewise looking for sponsors for the event. The levels are: “The Slow Burner,” $250; “The Smoker,” $500; “The Sizzler,” $1,000; and “The Renegade,” $1,500.

Corporate sponsors are being sought as well.

For more information about the Georgia Grill & Chill, contact the chamber office at 706-359-7970.