Winners of Freedom Fest Competition's

Two new champions have been crowned!
The Christian rock band, Flood, took the grand prize winnings of the first ever Christian Battle of the Bands, while Lance Dees took the title of “Burger Master” for the first annual Brookshire Brothers Star-Spangled Banner Burger Cook-Off. Both events took place in conjunction with the sixth annual Freedom Fest in downtown Nacogdoches Saturday, July 4.



The Christian Battle of the Bands started the July 4th festivities at 12 noon with 5 bands performing three songs each, with only one to win the 1st place prize. Top prize for the contest was the opportunity to open at Freedom Fest and 6 hours recording time donated by Encore. Flood, a native Lufkin band, took home the gold of the first ever Christian Battle of the Bands. Band members include Larry Barfield, Don Barnett, Steve Costner, Evan Davis, and Bill Henley. Awards were also given to the Shawnee Prairie Dogs for “Best Original Artist,” Joey Cefalu for “Best Guitarist,” Niko Garcia for “Best Drummer,” and Flood for the “Best Crowd Pleaser.”
“The event was better I than expected and we look forward to next year’s competition,” commented JaNiece Cefalu, organizer of the Christian Battle of the Bands.

Lance Dees not only made a mean burger at the Brookshire Brothers Star-Spangled Burger Cook-Off, but he also won the competition and a new Char Griller Smokin’ Pro from Brookshire Brothers. When asked about his winnings, Dees remarked, “I am extremely excited about taking first place, and I cannot wait to cook on my new grill.” Second prize went to Jay Knott, who won a $100 gift card from Brookshire Brothers for his burger made with a special “this and that” sauce. Participants of the burger cook-off had to use at least 4 products from Brookshire Brothers in their burger making and were judged based on a criteria sheet that included taste, appearance, and aroma.



“Both of these competitions were truly an asset to all of the festivities at this year’s Freedom Fest,” said Ashleigh Endicott, meeting and event coordinator for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We strive to make this celebration bigger and better every year.”