DUNCAN — For the fourth year in a row, United Way of Stephens County is hosting their annual, lip-smacking BBQ Showdown from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday in Fuqua Park.
Executive Director Helen Stewart told Southwest Ledger that 10 barbecue cooks will be on hand grilling up everything from brisket to pork butt to chicken thighs and more. The event is free, although for $10 people can receive a wristband to sample the meaty delicacies prepared by the grill masters, all vying for the $250 grand prize.
“It gets a little bigger every year,” noted Stewart of the BBQ Showdown.
Stewart emphasized that the Showdown — an important fundraiser for United Way of Stephens County — is really a very relaxed event and doesn’t following any strict competitive rules, as you might see in higher-profile barbecue competitions. The judges are simply people who love barbecue, she said.
For those who come in second and third, they will receive a medallion. And a separate category — the People’s Choice Award — will be in the form of a traveling trophy which is kept all year and returned at the BBQ Showdown the following year.
“They get bragging rights,” said Stewart of the People’s Choice winner.
In addition to barbecued meat, there will be plenty of sides available as well as some desserts.
Marlow-based KFXI “Foxy 92.1” FM will be broadcasting from the event, and there will be live music performed by Marlow band Hijackers Hollow Band, a band Stewart said, “plays just a little bit of everything.”
Kochendorfer Brewing Co., based in Duncan, will be selling beer to those 21 years and older.
For the kids, there will be rides at Kiddieland in Fuqua Park.
Twelve agencies benefit from money raised at the United Way of Stephens County BBQ Showdown. Those include CASA of Southwest OK, Inc.; Christians Concerned; Douglass Eastside Senior Citizens; Duncan Area Literacy Council; Duncan Senior Citizens Center; Gabriel’s House; Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma; Heartline 2-1-1; Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc.; Marlow Samaritans; Marie Detty Youth & Family Services; and Velma Senior Citizens.