Smokers, meal, concert = busy City Square on Saturday

    It was a busy day in Imperial Saturday, and one of the big events drawing crowds was Smokin’ on Broadway.
    Sponsored by the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, the smokin’ contest was followed by a 6 p.m. meal, an evening concert and the Chase County Challenge fundraiser.
    Committee member Matt Musgrove said 12 teams competed in the BBQ contest. He said it was a good day all around, drawing good crowds.
    The addition of the first annual Chase County Challenge fundraiser to their events was a great other activity that drew crowds, he said.
    An estimated 600 people were on the grounds Saturday, with 350 served the 6 p.m. meal that featured meat and beans cooked by the smokin’ teams.
    A three-hour concert featuring CW & Twenty Hands High from Denver closed out the day.
    Twelve judges sat at two tables and judged all the BBQ entries, using a point system to determine winners.
    This year’s BBQ competition returned after a year break in 2022. This year, the chamber coordinated with the Midwest BBQ Association to put on the event that had a $3,000 total purse.
    Musgrove said the chamber committee always looks to make Smokin’ on Broadway better each year.
    One thing they will look at in 2024 is moving along the meal’s food line more quickly. A long line formed at 6 p.m. and continued until about 7:15, he said. Only a pan of food was left.
    BBQ teams received extra meat for all four divisions—chicken, ribs, pork butt and brisket—to cook for the evening meal.
    Musgrove said the BBQ chefs really enjoy having the public sample their work.
    “We’re hoping for more competitors for next year. The more the better,” he said.
    CW & Twenty Hands High played a variety of country music, in addition to music from other artists.
    They performed under a stage brought in from Sterling, Colorado. Crowds were steady, said committee member Shawn Jeager
    Here are the winners in each smokin’ BBQ division.
    Overall—1st Bald Butts BBQ (Marc Brown); 2nd Dragon’s BBQ (Will Haley); 3rd At Ease BBQ (Casey Sievers)
     Chicken—1st Dragon’s BBQ (Will Haley); 2nd Killin Grillin BBQ (Kevin Bremer); 3rd Cook’n With Wood (Lee Hircock)
     Ribs—1st Bald Butts BBQ (Marc Brown); 2nd At Ease BBQ (Casey Sievers); 3rd Smoke & Spice (Wayne Bahler)

    Pork—1st Cook’n With Wood (Lee Hircock); 2nd Dragon’s BBQ (Will Haley); 3rd F5 BBQ (Jordan Moss)
    Brisket—1st Happy Jack’s BBQ (Allyn Robinson) 2nd Bald Butts BBQ (Marc Brown); 3rd At Ease BBQ (Casey Sievers)
    Beans—1st Lindsey White.
    Musgrove said the Chase County Challenge fundraiser was a great addition to the Smokin’ on Broadway lineup.
    “We’d love to keep that partnership with the community foundation in the future,” he said.
    “It made for a well-rounded day of activity,” he said.