Great barbecue and celebrity chefs in a public-friendly cookoff will be part of Outdoor Expo the weekend of June 4-5 at McLendon Hardware in Renton.

A competitive cooking event, the Washington Spring Training, is scheduled for June 4. Experienced cooks will kick off the start of another year of barbecue competitions hosted by the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association, which also uses the events to pass along the finer points of barbecuing.

Some of the expert advice June 4 will come from Tom Douglas, a Seattle celebrity chef and restaurateur who will autograph his books and demonstrate his barbecue techniques from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on June 5 from Steven Raichlen, an award-winning author and barbecue instructor from Miami who hosts “Primal Grill” on public television. Raichlen will sign his books from 1 to 4 p.m.

In addition to barbecuing and grilling, Outdoor Expo – a celebration of the opening of the McLendon store’s newly remodeled storefront – will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and will include demonstrations of 30 manufacturers’ products for gardening, outdoor lighting, painting, yardcare and deck maintenance.

Also scheduled is a special appearance by Blitz, the Seattle Seahawks’ mascot, on Sunday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to noon.

McLendon Hardware in Renton is located at 440 Rainier Ave. S.

Family-owned McLendon Hardware has six retail stores in King and Pierce counties, two distribution centers and more than 400 employees.