Charley Colton tries to keep up with daughter Ashleigh as he adjusts her princess hairband that was slipping off during the bike parade. (Johnson Publications photo)
Smokin’ starts early. Jay Mears, foreground, and Gabriel Castillo, both of Benkelman, check the pork ribs and pulled pork Saturday morning, as the open grill sends up the aroma drawing people to Smokin’ on Broadway. Mears and Castillo were part of the EZ Does It team, one of a dozen competitors in the BBQ competition. (Johnson Publications photo)
At the petting zoo, Bristol Patterson gives a goat a hug. (Johnson Publications photo)
Weather doesn’t dampen Smokin’ fun
Rain has been a constant this month in and around Imperial.
And, more of it fell Saturday during the fourth annual Smokin’ on Broadway.
But despite some rainfall in the morning and other times during the day, it didn’t dampen the fun for returning events and several new ones offered.
Jana Pribbeno, a member of the Smokin’ committee, said 1,100 wristbands were given out throughout the day to youths and adults coming through the entry gates.
That’s about the same numbers as last year, but down from two years ago. In addition to the rainy and cool weather Saturday, Pribbeno noted it was also the weekend for NEBRASKAland Days in North Platte, which may have affected attendance.
The BBQ and beans competitions lend credence to the event’s name—Smokin’ on Broadway—and they again had good participation.
Twelve competed in the meat smoking divisions, which challenged chefs to smoke their best brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs and sausage.
Contest coordinator Jack Schnieder said 12 is just about the perfect number for the meat BBQ competition.
Meat was “checked out” at 9 p.m. Friday night and most started cooking that night.
Each of the four categories had three judges on Saturday, who considered appearance, aroma, tenderness and flavor, scoring them from 1 to 10.
Overall winner, who had the most points from all categories, was Bald Butts BBQ of Benkelman. Marc Brown accepted the $750 prize.
Overall runner-up was Thayer’s A Chance. Imperial native Chance Thayer took home the $500 prize.
The four divisional winners received $100 for first and $50 for second.
Winning the beans competition was Dave Klinkhammer of Kimball who took home the $100 prize. He was the overall BBQ winner in 2017 and 2018.
Second place in beans and $50 went to Happy Jack’s of Holyoke, Colorado.
Schnieder was glad to see some new competitors this year, as well as many returning smokers.
With the forecasted rain, the committee decided earlier in the week to hold the evening concerts in the city gym. All of the other food contests were scheduled in the gym beforehand to take advantage of the air conditioning if needed, Pribbeno said.
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