Get your BBQ and Bluegrass on

Nothing says spring like meeting up with friends you haven't seen since you-don't-know-when, making some new ones, having a plate of barbecue, and kicking back to good music.

Lucky for you, you can find all of those things in one place.

Next Saturday, March 24, we're inviting you to the for a night of barbecue and bluegrass. Absolutely anyone is welcome to join in the fun, which starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10, and kids under 10 eat FREE! There will also be a silent auction with plenty of items to “ooh” and “ahh” over.

The hybrid wind-down and celebration caps off a day of golf at the Sixth Annual Nicholas Pope Memorial Golf Tournament. This will be the second year of the barbecue and bluegrass celebration.

The majority of proceeds from both the tournament and the dinner benefit Extra Special People, with a small portion going to the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes. It is a fitting tribute to Nicholas Pope, who died in a gun accident in 2006 at the age of 9.

Nicholas was a compassionate boy as well as a champion golfer in his age group. The golf tournament was founded in his memory the year after his death, and is organized by his family, including his dad, Eric Pope, and a dedicated group of volunteers each year. His mother, Beth Pope Page, is a founding member of the ESP Board of Directors.

More than 100 golfers competed in last year's tournament, and there is still room for foursomes to sign up for this year's tournament at the Lane Creek Country Club.

Registration is $75 per golfer, and there are prizes for the first- through third-place teams, as well as for the longest drive and closest shot to the pin. A hole-in-one wins $5,000 in cash. That registration also includes a dinner ticket for each golfer.

But if you're not a golfer, it's no biggie. We'd still love to see you for barbecue, bluegrass, and the silent auction! More than 300 people attended last year, and we'd love to shatter that record.

Family, friends and volunteers are making the main courses, Runt's BBQ is bringing sides, and the North Georgia Bluegrass Band and special guest trio The McCollums are playing the tunes -- but only you can help provide the fabulous company. Come meet some ESP kids, get to know their families, and find a few new friends right here in your community!