Spring smoke signals barbecue connoisseurs
Wayne White | Managing Editor
OSAGE CITY—With about a week remaining to get ready, barbecue
teams from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Illinois and
Colorado are scheduled to converge in Osage City’s Jones
Park for the April 10-11 Smoke in the Spring barbecue contest.
According to Corey Linton, the contest’s organizer, 64 teams
had registered as of Tuesday.
“In 2008, we had 51 teams,” Linton said.
The event begins the evening of April 10 in Jones Park with a
“Taste of Osage City.”
“Everyone is invited to this special community event showcasing
the barbecue teams of Smoke in the Spring,” Linton said.
Selected teams will sell food 6-8 p.m. to the public. Participating
teams will only accept “BBQ Bucks” as payment. BBQ
Bucks can be purchased at Osage City Hall or at Edward Jones,
516 Market St. BBQ Bucks will also be available at the event until
7 p.m. As of Tuesday, a dozen teams had agreed to sell food.
“There could be a few more,” Linton said.
Also Friday evening will be the Kids-Q Competition, with age divisions
10 and under, and 11 and above. Registration fee is $10 per cook
and sign-up deadline is 5 p.m. April 10. Each cook is provided
one pound of ground beef, to be cooked any way they choose. Cooking
must be done at the site. Money and prizes will be given to the
top five places in each division.
During Friday’s activities, live music will be presented
5:30-7:30 p.m. by The Groove, of Topeka. The band plays classic
and contemporary rock from the 1950s to today, appealing to all
ages.
From 8-11:30 p.m., Smoke in the Spring headliner, Big Woody, featuring
James Gilbert, of Kansas City, Mo., will present rhythm and blues,
rock, Motown, dance tunes and originals, featuring vocals by Gilbert,
Dewey Rucker on saxophone, “Memphis” Mike McDaniel
on guitar, and Big Woody on drums.
Saturday morning, April 11, barbecue contestants will begin turning
in entries. Visitors can see the Osage City Car Show, presented
by the Osage City Car Club, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the south end of
Jones Park. For more information about the car show, contact Richard
or Jeanette Swarts, (785) 528-3667.
For anyone craving barbecue for Saturday lunch, the Osage City
Band Booster Club will serve pulled pork, sides and drinks, 11
a.m.-2 p.m., inside the community building, located on the north
end of Jones Park.
Programs for the event will be available at Osage City Hall, Edward
Jones, Bank of Osage City, Lyndon State Bank, The Osage County
Herald-Chronicle and other sponsoring businesses. |
