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The second annual Smoking Hot BBQ & Fireworks at the Crawford County Fairgrounds was for the most part a success, officials said. An evening thunderstorm sent most of the competitors and visitors away early, and the fireworks show was called off, said organizer Christy Vulgamore, but the main event went off without a hitch.
Sponsored by the Celebrate Girard! Events Committee, it’s the second year in a row for a sanctioned Kansas City Barbeque Society competition. And it’s big business for the teams that compete, according to the KCBS. Cooks earn points by attending different events around the country and racking up wins, similar to the way points are awarded to NASCAR drivers. The meat — chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket — is thoroughly inspected when the competitors arrive to make sure no one has an advantage, but once they’re admitted, cooks can do whatever they like.
The temperature was scorching at nearly 100-degrees. Attendance was down slightly from last year, with 430 bracelets sold. But the quality of the competition was top notch, said Kevin Kerr, who helped organize the event.
“We had 10 of the top 15 ranked cooks here this weekend,” Kerr said. “One of them was even featured on the Food Network. They’re very well known and highly respected.”
There were 18 teams that participated in the Heartland Electric People’s Choice Awards, and more than 350 visitors sampled their signature dishes. In the Kansas City Barbeque portion of the event, 30 teams from around the Four State area participated. The winning team was Caveman Cuisine, of Carthage, Mo., and second place went to Munchin’ Hogs at the Hilton, from Prairie Village. Neither of the winners were available, but Kerr said both teams were impressive.
“It’s just like anything. If you’re serious about what you do and you’re competitive, you’re going to make something good,” Kerr said.
Barbecue sauce was donated by Ott’s, of Carthage, Mo., and the event was also sponsored by Pepsi of Pittsburg and Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Prizes were awarded through 10th place, and cash awards were given for first through fifth place.
“I’d say it was a success,” Vulgamore said.
The second annual Smoking Hot BBQ & Fireworks at the Crawford County Fairgrounds was for the most part a success, officials said. An evening thunderstorm sent most of the competitors and visitors away early, and the fireworks show was called off, said organizer Christy Vulgamore, but the main event went off without a hitch.
Sponsored by the Celebrate Girard! Events Committee, it’s the second year in a row for a sanctioned Kansas City Barbeque Society competition. And it’s big business for the teams that compete, according to the KCBS. Cooks earn points by attending different events around the country and racking up wins, similar to the way points are awarded to NASCAR drivers. The meat — chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket — is thoroughly inspected when the competitors arrive to make sure no one has an advantage, but once they’re admitted, cooks can do whatever they like.
The temperature was scorching at nearly 100-degrees. Attendance was down slightly from last year, with 430 bracelets sold. But the quality of the competition was top notch, said Kevin Kerr, who helped organize the event.
“We had 10 of the top 15 ranked cooks here this weekend,” Kerr said. “One of them was even featured on the Food Network. They’re very well known and highly respected.”
There were 18 teams that participated in the Heartland Electric People’s Choice Awards, and more than 350 visitors sampled their signature dishes. In the Kansas City Barbeque portion of the event, 30 teams from around the Four State area participated. The winning team was Caveman Cuisine, of Carthage, Mo., and second place went to Munchin’ Hogs at the Hilton, from Prairie Village. Neither of the winners were available, but Kerr said both teams were impressive.
“It’s just like anything. If you’re serious about what you do and you’re competitive, you’re going to make something good,” Kerr said.
Barbecue sauce was donated by Ott’s, of Carthage, Mo., and the event was also sponsored by Pepsi of Pittsburg and Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Prizes were awarded through 10th place, and cash awards were given for first through fifth place.
“I’d say it was a success,” Vulgamore said.
