For students who plan to remain in the Bay area for Memorial Day weekend, local radio station 97X is hosting the Memorial Day Backyard BBQ.

Five bands are scheduled to play during the daylong celebration, including Florida’s own Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, which was showcased in the 2006 Vans Warped Tour. Other acts include Shiny Toy Guns, a synth-pop band; The Almost, a solo emo act; the Sick Puppies, an alternative rock/pop band and Army of Me, an indie- rock group.

“It’s going to be radical. Come out and have a good time with us instead of ruining your house,” said D.J. Jesse Kage. “We’ve got the bands that people can’t get to come to their house. We’ve got a bunch of food, more than you can get at your house. We got a bunch of liquor and beer – more than you can have at your house.”

The BBQ also hosts Battle of the Teen Bands, sponsored by TASCO – St. Petersburg’s teen program, also known as Teen Arts, Sports and Cultural Opportunities. The first-prize winner will take home $1,000.

While enjoying the live music, people can also enjoy food from eateries around the Bay area. Mugs-N-Jugs will serve boneless wings, hamburgers, hot dogs and ribs, while Brisket Basket will have Sloppy Brisket and German Potato Salad. Other restaurants taking part in the event include The Causal Calm, Mickey’s Peanuts and St. Pete Concessions.

“We were approached by COX radio to do it, probably because the brisket being thought of in terms of BBQ,” said Linda Bernard, owner of the Brisket Basket. “It’s a traditional BBQ-style meat. That’s what they use in Texan barbecue.”

The event also features a beer garden, with drinks from Budweiser, Widmer, Bare Knuckle and more. During the day, the barbecue will host tournaments in water jousting, bocce ball, volleyball and horseshoes. At the Action Sports Area, there will be demonstrations of half pipes, Moto-X and Bicycle Motocross.

“It’s a cool time because it’s Memorial Day weekend, and if you’re of age to drink, you have two days to get rid of your hangover,” said Kage.

97X’s Memorial Day Backyard BBQ will be held on May 26 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Vinoy Park, located at 7th Avenue and Bayshore Drive in St. Petersburg. Pre-sale tickets are $10 at Ticketmaster or $15 at the gate.