Bell Buckle to host barbecue cookoff

Bell Buckle will host its inaugural "Best of the Butts" barbecue cookoff on Saturday, Aug. 30, on the stage behind the stores in downtown Bell Buckle. The first-time event will feature butts and ribs from a field of 24 entries.

All proceeds will benefit the Bell Buckle Park.

Bell Buckle Park Board member and cookoff chairman James Anderson is excited about the event and has had numerous discussions with Kansas City and North Carolina event organizers to insure Bell Buckle's event is top quality.

"We wanted to keep this year's event small, so we limited it to 24 entries in order to run the event professionally," Anderson said. " We have had great support and advice from other competitions that are nationally-renowned events, so we've got a great base to make the Bell Buckle BBQ Cook Off a competition that should be lots of fun and produce some really great BBQ."

Barbecue lovers can taste all 24 pork butt entries for $5 and nominate their favorite for the People's Choice Award, which will also be announced with other awards at 2 p.m.

Contestants check in on Friday, Aug. 29, and can begin cooking at any time after check-in. Cookoff grounds will be open to the public beginning Aug. 30 at 9 a.m.

Certified Judge Steve Rowan will lead a field of six judges who will determine scores through tenderness/texture, taste, and appearance. Judging will begin with the pork butts being presented starting at 11:30 a.m. and ribs at 12:30 p.m.

"Lots of times the cooks enjoy discussing their techniques as they cook, so it's a great way to pick up some barbecuing ideas just in time for Labor Day cookouts," Anderson said. Though the start up competition is not sanctioned, Anderson doesn't rule out having the Bell Buckle event sanctioned at some time in the near future.

Park Board members have been organizing the event since January. A concession booth will offer homemade baked goods and drinks. Captain Rodney's jellies and sauces will be available as well. The Bell Buckle Café will be on site offering hamburgers along with some of their other popular signature items.

For more information and a copy of the competition rules and regulations, go to www.BellBucklePark.info; or call Anderson, (931) 808-1924, or Carla Webb, 389-7017.