THE GLOBE GAZETTE • EXPLORE! SUMMER 2011 • E7
BBQ Bash returns Patrick’s Sports for 8th year of food, Bar & Grill fun, competition July 22-23 event By RICHARD JOHNSON richard.johnson@globegazette.com
he eighth-annual Up In Smoke BBQ Bash is Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, in Mason City’s East Park. Barbecue chefs will compete for more than $14,000 in prize money during the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned Iowa State BBQ Championship contest — Iowa’s largest with more than 70 teams registered for the 2010 Bash. Contestants prepare beef brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulders and chicken. There are cash awards from first through 10th places. The winners earn $3,000. Confirmed entrants include the Swine Assassins of Mason City, ranked second in KCBS’ overall national ranking. Others in the top 10 that have competed in Mason City: Quau of Brimfield, Ill.; Pellet Envy of Kansas City, Mo.; and the Smokin’ Triggers of Alvarado, Texas, led by Johnny Trigg, aka the “Godfather of Barbecue.” More than 70 teams competed last year, and that many are expected again in July, Up In Smoke coordinator Ruth Miller said, adding that the early lineup includes six new teams — several from North Iowa. “I think it’s really wonderful that people around here are getting teams together,” she said. “And we have had some exceedingly successful North Iowa teams nationally, like the Swine Assassins and Farm Boy (from St. Ansgar). “Our contest is known far
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BBQ Bash Schedule FRIDAY, JULY 22 5 p.m. — Beer garden, food court and kids playground open; music by Endless Summer. 5:30 p.m. — Hy-Vee Chili Cookoff and Chili-Tasting. 7:30 p.m. — Music by Bob Dorr & The Blue Band. 9 p.m. — Kids’ playground closes. 10 p.m. — Food court closes. 11 p.m. — Beer garden closes. SATURDAY, JULY 23 11 a.m. — Beer garden, food court and kids playground open. 11:30 a.m. — KCBS barbecue competition judging begins 2 p.m. — Beer garden, food court and kids playground close. Music by The Chocolate Crackers. 4 p.m. — Awards ceremony. 4:30 p.m. — More music by The Chocolate Crackers.
and wide,” Miller said. Up In Smoke also features contests for the best margarita, Bloody Mary and dessert, and Anything Butt, in which competitors grill anything but those competitive meats. The public can again find great barbecue and other food and drink from a host of vendors, and sample chili during Friday evening’s Chili Cook-Off contest. Friday’s entertainment includes ’60s music by Charles City-based Endless Summer and blues, soul, rockabilly and rhythm and blues by Bob Dorr & The Blue Band from Cedar Falls. The Clarksville-based Chocolate Crackers will play rock, classic rock and country music Saturday afternoon. See www.upinsmokebbqbash.com or the North Iowa Up In Smoke BBQ Championship site on Facebook for more information.
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