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Sugar Creek, MO —
Last year it was the bad weather.
This year the weather helped unite them.
The eighth annual Smokin’ in the Creek barbecue contest got off to a modest start, with a trickling of visitors an hour before it officially began. But that was good, for it gave Sue Mikula, the event’s coordinator, time to plan and make final preparations.
“We were crossing our fingers,” she said shortly before opening the gates.
Last year there were 54 teams competing in the event – and no vendors. This year the competition was lighter – 48 – but there were three vendors.
“It was a good trade off,” she said. “Last year they bailed on us because of the weather.”
This weekend the weather was good, except for the wind. But that proved a diamond in the rough, for, as Mikula said, the sudden collapse of a tent and the subsequent rescue by several team members only brought the participants closer.
“It’s why I love doing this – the togetherness, the team work.”
It’s a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, though it can be often overlooked, Mikula admits. But there are hidden gems to be found surrounding the Mike Onka Memorial Building.
“We have American Royal winners here, and teams from Iowa, Kansas,” she said. “It should be a good show.”
Marla Whay of Kansas City was hoping so. She distinctly remembers traveling to the event last year, only to discover that there were no vendors selling food.
“I was disappointed, to say the least,” she said.
Some things hadn’t changed, however. There was still shuttle parking from the parking lot at Evans and Sterling; still a Kids Que competition on Friday, where children from 5 to 16 years old could compete. On Saturday morning, a breakfast was held. The cost was modest – $5 – and proceeds go back to next year’s event.
By Saturday afternoon, Worth Smokin BBQ, a team from Grant City, Mo., was crowned grand champion, while 4 Legs Up BBQ from Great Bend, Kan., took second place.
Mikula said the weekend went by without a hitch – and without bad weather.
“That’s the first time that’s happened, that we didn’t have to battle the rain,” she said, adding that organizers estimated about 1,200 people showed up Friday night.
Last year it was the bad weather.
This year the weather helped unite them.
The eighth annual Smokin’ in the Creek barbecue contest got off to a modest start, with a trickling of visitors an hour before it officially began. But that was good, for it gave Sue Mikula, the event’s coordinator, time to plan and make final preparations.
“We were crossing our fingers,” she said shortly before opening the gates.
Last year there were 54 teams competing in the event – and no vendors. This year the competition was lighter – 48 – but there were three vendors.
“It was a good trade off,” she said. “Last year they bailed on us because of the weather.”
This weekend the weather was good, except for the wind. But that proved a diamond in the rough, for, as Mikula said, the sudden collapse of a tent and the subsequent rescue by several team members only brought the participants closer.
“It’s why I love doing this – the togetherness, the team work.”
It’s a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, though it can be often overlooked, Mikula admits. But there are hidden gems to be found surrounding the Mike Onka Memorial Building.
“We have American Royal winners here, and teams from Iowa, Kansas,” she said. “It should be a good show.”
Marla Whay of Kansas City was hoping so. She distinctly remembers traveling to the event last year, only to discover that there were no vendors selling food.
“I was disappointed, to say the least,” she said.
Some things hadn’t changed, however. There was still shuttle parking from the parking lot at Evans and Sterling; still a Kids Que competition on Friday, where children from 5 to 16 years old could compete. On Saturday morning, a breakfast was held. The cost was modest – $5 – and proceeds go back to next year’s event.
By Saturday afternoon, Worth Smokin BBQ, a team from Grant City, Mo., was crowned grand champion, while 4 Legs Up BBQ from Great Bend, Kan., took second place.
Mikula said the weekend went by without a hitch – and without bad weather.
“That’s the first time that’s happened, that we didn’t have to battle the rain,” she said, adding that organizers estimated about 1,200 people showed up Friday night.
