Annual BBQ contest returns to Depot Street
Published 9:26 am Friday, August 2, 2019
- Lisa Cattoi of Bassett BBQ of Lexington piles a heaping handful of pulled pork barbecue on a market-goers sandwich bun at the 2018 Holy Smokes BBQ contest and fundraiser at the Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market. (Photos by Whitney Leggett)
A half dozen pitmasters, including last year’s winners, are bring their smokers back to Depot Street this weekend.
The Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market’s annual Holy Smokes BBQ contest returns Saturday in conjunction with the regular farmers market in downtown Winchester.
“It draws more people than any other (market) festival,” market president Julie Staton said.
The barbecue contest has become the market’s biggest fundraiser, she said.
This year, the Lauren Mink Band will offer live music beginning at 11 a.m.
Each competitor must prepare chicken, pulled pork, brisket and ribs to participate, she said. Those submissions are then judged, without sauce, by a panel of local judges.
Each competitor also has to donate 30 pounds of pulled pork to the market, which is then sold as lunches beginning at 11 a.m., she said.
“Usually it sells out pretty quickly,” Staton said. “Hopefully this year it will last until the end of the festival.”
Last year, Meat Misters of Shepherdsville claimed first place and its $1,000 prize. ElkHawg Smokers and Flack Brothers BBQ, both of Winchester, took second and third respectively.
The George Rogers Clark High School cheerleaders will sell water and Ale-8-Ones as a separate fundraiser, she said.
About Fred Petke
Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.
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