The ominous grey clouds threatening rain last Sunday afternoon opened with a furious rage and for a while, it seemed as though the Jack Daniel’s Big Birthday Backyard BBQ at Jo Jo’s Jerk Pit on Waterloo Road might be postponed. As good fortune would have it, the pouring rains abated and the event — a mix of barbecue-inspired cuisine, a plush Tai Flora Luxe-decorated drinking lounge and fun games — proceeded as planned. The event, which also doubled as a celebration of the 161st birthday of the Tennessee-manufactured Jack Daniel’s whisky, proved an agreeable Sunday outing for patrons who braved the weather.

White-top food tents were scattered about Jo Jo’s with offerings such as grilled BBQ ribs (with sides of corn-on-the-cob and mashed potato), barbecued chicken from Caribbean Broilers, lamb burgers from VIP Meats, pulled pork sandwiches, candied apples, and sweet desserts. There were also several activities throughout the day which patrons were invited to participate in, with Kool 97 FM announcer Jody-Ann Gray acting as the day’s compere. As a typically over-exuberant clown roamed the grounds, pausing to entertain with high jinks and do body and face paintings on excited children (and a few adult takers); at various intervals, a treasure hunt for children, a bull-riding competition and a singing contest were hosted for the mid-sized but enthusiastic audience. Entertainment came by way of musical performances from the rock-flavoured tunes of Black Zebra and Elvis Presley, who was not the actual King returned to life, but an impersonator.

The inaugural Big Birthday Backyard BBQ was a spin-off of Jo Jo’s Name That Tune Thursdays, hosted every other month at the popular Waterloo Road eatery in conjunction with Jack Daniel’s. Thursday Food, a proud sponsor of the event, features scenes from the BBQ.