BBQ Blowout More about Community than Just Winning

The fourth annual City of Bolivar BBQ Blowout, a sanctioned event, was held on Friday and Saturday, October 25 – 26, 2024, in Downtown Bolivar. The weekend competition not only included the barbecue contest, but scheduled events of carnival rides, vendor pop ups, cornhole challenge, and the always adorable March of the Dogs Hardeman Adoptable Animals Costume Contest. It was all a weekend of a community coming together and one several look forward to each year.

The weekend of events kicked off with the mayor’s luncheon and music by the Courtney Little Band, who returned later in the evening to perform in concert. Some of the other performances over the two days included Small Shack, Southern Rose, Sinsay, Piper & the Hard Times Band, and the Bolivar Central High School marching band. Other events included a classic car roundup, and hometown heroes Mr. Fred Kessler and Ms. Helen Johnson were recognized for their service and commitment to the community.

The highlight of the weekend was the BBQ Blowout, which had several retuning competitors. Although the event was a competition, for many of the participants it was like returning home to a familiar community.

“It still feels like a local event. It doesn’t feel like you are about to have the Goodyear blimp flying around with national news crews,” said Trey Adcock of the Will Be Que BBQ team, who noted that level of competition is nice, but expressed his appreciation for local community competition. “This is a local, regional event and we want to maintain that. Yes, national awards are nice, but once you get to that level, you have a disconnect, and don’t feel connected to the people or to the area. Overall, this is one of the good ones we try to go to every year.”

There was a sense of supportive community throughout the two-day event from the contestants as well as the event coordinators. As the BBQ winners walked to claim their trophies, it was no surprise to see many stop to shake hands with their competitors and to receive congratulatory hugs.

David and Melissa Howard of the Butt Hurt BBQ team out of Enid, Mississippi, were competing in their second year at the BBQ Blowout. They took home 1st Place in Pulled Pork and Second Place in Ribs, both in the Backyard Division. David came in first place in ribs last year and shared why they enjoy competing in the BBQ Blowout.

“The camaraderie between all the teams, even the pro teams, is just a big family,” said Mr. Howard.

Professional teams competed in three areas that included Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Whole Hog. Will Be Que BBQ was named the Professional Grand Champion.

Professional Division: Ribs

1. Will Be Que BBQ
2. Riberty
3. Double D Smokers
4. Slabs A Smokin
5. Fireside Smokers

Professional Division: Pulled Pork

1. Que N DA 662
2. Poker Porkers
3. Will Be Que BBQ
4. The Barbecue Experiment
5. Slabs A Smokin

Professional Division: Whole Hog

1. Will Be Que BBQ
2. Que N DA 662
3. Poker Porkers
4. Riberty
5. Fireside Smokers

Backyard teams competed in three areas that included Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Chicken. United Pork Smokers took the Grand Champion – Backyard Division in 2023 and again in 2024.

Backyard Division: Ribs

1. Smokin’ Hot & Saucy
2. Butt Hurt BBQ
3. United Pork Smokers
4. BBQ Smackers
5. Firehouse Smokers

Backyard Division: Pulled Pork

1. Butt Hurt BBQ
2. United Pork Smokers
3. 5.0 Smokers
4. Big Boy’s Smokin’
5. Smokin’ Hot & Saucy

Backyard Division: Chicken

1. United Pork Smokers
2. Firehouse Smokers
3. Smokin’ Hot & Saucy
4. 5.0 Smokers
5. Big Mike’s BBQ

Placing in all three division competitions and going home as the Professional Division Grand Champions made it an exciting afternoon for the Will Be Que BBQ team. Two families, the Adcocks and the Wilkersons, make up the Will Be Que BBQ team and have been competing together since 2009.

“In 2009, my mom [Traci] told us [my sister and me] ‘Hey Mr. Craig wants to start competing. We already kind of thought of a team name. Y’all start drawing up a logo.’ I was 13 years old, and my little sister was nine. We were sitting at the coffee table with colored pencils and paper trying to draw this and that,” said Trey, who along with his team members gave credit to Craig Wilkerson as it being his team.

Mr. Wilkerson quickly corrected them noting the team effort behind their wins.

“It is our team,” said Mr. Wilkerson.

You may see pictures of all of the BBQ Blowout winners and from the weekend festivities.

Pictures courtesy of Sarah Rice.

Read more about the 2023 BBQ Blowout winners here.

Read more about the 2022 BBQ Blowout winners here.

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