2005 First Time KCBS CIBR-BBQ event draws 48 teams
ARTHUR, IL , October 8, 2005
The 2nd Annual Central Illinois Bragging Rights BBQ Cookoff and first time KCBS sanctioned event was deemed a success by the Village of Arthur as well as the contestants. 7,000 to 8,000 visitors and town’s people came to Arthur to checkout the festivities and eat great BBQ. Everyone in Arthur enjoyed having the event downtown and most competition teams seemed to like the location, some especially due to the close proximity to the late night establishments.
The competition week actually started off hot with temperatures pushing 90 degrees, but by the time the first team arrived daytime highs toppled to the low 60’s. That’s Illinois weather for you.
“Ribs ‘n Bibs” was the first team to arrive on Thursday. They immediately set-up camp – if you can call it that – in the city lot by the IGA. They quickly became deputized Arthur crossing guards assigned with the daunting task of directing traffic entering the lot. Among the delivery trucks, grocery shoppers, Amish buggies and Q teams, these guys were kept busy for the better part of two days. Somehow they managed to squeeze 12 teams into a lot designated to hold just nine. The pay stunk, but they had a great time. Our thanks to Dave and Mike. The resulting Cajun themed cooking and evening party kept all entertained until the time to light the smokers arrived.
By Friday afternoon teams were busy creating squash side dishes and tasty desserts featuring apples. The side dish main ingredients were selected due to the October Martha Stewarts magazine article about Arthur’s local “Great Pumpkin Patch” and their over 100 squash varieties that they grow and sell. The cook teams took to the challenge and the imaginations, creativity and exceptionally well done recipes and presentations of the teams were very inventive. The judges didn’t realize there were so many ways to cook gourds, and quite frankly, neither did we. Martha Stewart would have been proud of all the entries.
Pepperitaville took home top honors with the best side dish and Slug Bug BBQ finished first in the dessert category.
Saturday’s Kid’s Q was a fun success with Krista Kramer and “The Grillin’ Girls” taking top honors in the 11-15 year old category followed by the “Smoking Clones Junior” and “Chicken Little BBQ Jr.” In the 6-11 year old category the Noah Anderson and the “Mini-Meat Heads” took top honors followed by “Adam’s Grill” and “Smokey J Jr’s BBQ.“
In a repeat of last years contest, Friday night saw temperatures dip down into the mid thirties and by morning the wind was howling. Luckily there was plenty of sunshine and by early afternoon during crunch time the wind had settled and it was quite pleasant. Everyone managed to keep their tents up and fires lit. Maybe this daunting weather will become a tradition at the CIBR. The village crews are already making plans for additional electrical drops to keep more heaters going next year.
The CIBR-BBQ was a tremendous success. By Wednesday night it looked as if this KCBS fledgling competition would become a triple points event when the number of competitors crossed the 50 plateau. However, a couple of late cancellations and medical emergencies resulted in the field topping out at 48.
The enthusiasm for BBQ in central Illinois continues to be strong. When news of the Arthur event reached the newspapers, local folks who have never competed before began to enter. The CIBR featured over 32 teams from the state of Illinois, proving there is rapidly growing interest in BBQ north of Kentucky and Missouri.
First time Illinois event participants “No Snout About It”, expressed nervousness about being able to compete with the big boys of Q. Their practice run one week prior to the event was “a disaster” according to an email received by CIBR-BBQ organizer George Fritz. Evidently they got the bugs worked out enough to impress the judges with a 9th place finish in ribs and a 17th overall.
Another local Mattoon, Il team “Good Time Swine” edged out the Smokin Clones by a little over a point to take home first place in ribs. Those guys were stoked to take home a first place check and vowed to return next year. Finally, Amishland smokers, an Arthur entry, fared well finishing with a 10th place overall at the event.
But this event really boiled down to a duel among some of the elite teams of KCBS BBQ. “Bonesmokers”, “Q U Smoking Crew” and “Rock River BBQ” finished 3rd through 5th respectively. The reserve champion was “Parrothead Smokers”, who made a last minute decision and drove in from South Dakota to compete. However the day belonged to “Bar-B-Quau” who finished in the top 3 in every single category and took home the $1,000 check and title of CIBR-BBQ Grand Champion.
Next year’s prizes will include in addition to trophies and checks, suspenders donated by a local clothing merchant Delbert’s. Participants got to witness a little too much of Animal from “Q U Smokin Krewe”. His bright orange pants were darn near at his ankles following an exuberant trot to pick up the check for best chicken. The moral of the story don’t put your camera in your back pocket without wearing a pair of suspenders.
Be sure to put this weekend on your calendars for 2006. We'll be here the weekend after the Royal!