Barbecue, bluegrass and more this weekend

WORLAND — There is excitement this year from the cooks to the judges for the 17th Pepsi Wyoming BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival at the Washakie County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.

Committee chairman Dave Paxton said, “There is a lot of interest this year. We’ve had tons of people wanting to know if we were doing it. We have 32 teams, that’s one away from being completely full.”

The teams will compete in a Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook competition with four meats — chicken, pork, brisket and ribs.

Those teams that want can also sign up for the Wyoming BBQ Championship sauce competition and mystery meat competition. Paxton said even he does not know what the mystery meat is this year. The committee does provide the cut of meat for the competition.

Paxton said there are some local teams, returning teams and several new teams competing this year.

Among those 32 competing teams, six have signed up to be vendors and sell food to the public during the two-day festival Friday night and Saturday — Lynn Murdoch and Chubby Cheeks, Mikaylynn White and 3 Smokin’ Chicks, Kari Barr and Barr’s BQ, Nicholas Unruh and Unruly Smokers, Josh Garcia and Sochie’s BBQ and Mark Willms of M-Dubs BBQ.

To purchase food from one of the barbecue cooks, or desserts from the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, people need to purchase “bone bucks” from one of the two “banks” at the fairgrounds. Unused bone bucks can be turned back in for cash when you leave.

The judging begins at noon on Saturday and Paxton said the judges are excited and he already has a full slate of judges ready to eat.

People will get a chance to sample some of the pork offerings from the teams with the People’s Choice. Teams sign up to be included in the People’s Choice competition and Paxton said there is usually 15 to 20 teams. This year they can cook up “anything pork” for the competition.

The professional cookers are not the only ones who will be judged. There will be the Kids Q again this year starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Meat, buns and grills are provided by the committee and youth need to bring their grilling skills, condiments and any toppings for their burger.

The festival gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Friday with the national anthem sung by Victoria Harry. Kevin Bentsch will be the emcee this year.

BLUEGRASS

In addition to the barbecue is the bluegrass music. The committee brings in three acts for live entertainment, with one returning act and two new acts.

This year’s returning act is The Brothers Parker, named for brother John Parker of Montana and Billy Parker from Phoenix, Arizona. While this is the second time The Brothers Parker will play at the festival it is the fourth time for John Parker who played twice at the festival with the band Lockwood.

John Parker said he enjoys playing at the festival because “They have a really good audience, they pay well, and they treat musicians very well. To Play bluegrass music, get paid, eat championship barbecue, what’s not to like.”

He added, “It’s a fun show. The people who put it on are just awesome.”

The Brothers Parker is a five piece bluegrass band from Montana covering classic and contemporary bluegrass; country and gospel.

The band features Billy on mandolin and vocals and John on bass and vocals, Tyler James of Phoenix on banjo and vocals; Isaac Callender - a multi-instrumentalist; and Isaac’s wife Louise Steinway on fiddle and vocals. Isaac and Louise are both from Montana and are twin fiddle champions.

John Parker said their show includes a variety with music that he and his brother have played for years and music that Callendar and Steinway have played together. “There are a couple of different influences and there is a lot of variety,” he said.

The two new groups are Lori King and Junction 63 and Hillbilly Fever.

Lori King and Junction 63 is bluegrass band featuring Lori King and husband Joe King from Drakesville, Iowa. According to the band’s Facebook Page, the group debuted in 2014 and is well known for their “traditional sounds and hard driving instrumentals, paired with midwestern determination and grit.”

Hillbilly Fever is coming a little farther as the group is originally from the hills of North Carolina.

According to the band’s website, the band entertains audiences “with their mix of bluegrass, classic country and gospel selections.” Band members are Tucker McCandless (vocals, guitar); Randy Gambill (guitar, vocals); Mark Krider (banjo); Butch Barker (vocals, bass); Wes Tuttle (vocals, mandolin, fiddle) and Bob Frankot (fiddle).

AND MORE

There is a lot more for people than just barbecue and bluegrass.

Carquest and Dan Atkinson are sponsoring the Car Show again this year, after sponsoring in 2019. Atkinson said the show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with awards announced around 3 p.m.

“Whatever you are proud of bring it down,” Atkinson said, noting pre-registration is not necessary.

There will be 10 categories including Best of Show, Chef’s Choice (with barbecue contestants voting), Youth Recognition, Best GM, Best Ford, Best MOPAR, Best Import and three honorable mentions.

He said Pepsi, a main sponsor for the festival is also a sponsor of the car show.

The 5K Run/Walk gets things started Saturday morning. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the race starting 8 a.m. There is an entry fee for individuals and family rate.

Organizer Tanya Kienlen said, “We are trying to encourage young runners so middle-school aged youth can run for free.”

Prior, during and after the run/walk, people can treat themselves to the DOES pancake breakfast, a fundraiser for the DOES projects. Breakfast is served from 7-9 a.m.

There will also be a Kids Zone with some activities for youth.

FUNDRAISERS

The committee will be raising funds for this year’s and future festivals at the brewfest Thursday where people can enjoy the sounds of Rattlesnake Ridge and sample a myriad of craft beers from 5-9 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

During the festival, Paxton said they will have a raffle for some “big ticket items.” Information on the raffles will be available at the information booth and winners will be announced prior to the barbecue awards at 4:15 p.m.

Fundraisers allow the festival to be free for people to come and visit and enjoy the music.

The 12 committee members who make the festival happen this year are Paxton, Heidi Rutledge, Bethany Measles, Lori Paulsen, Murdoch, Dan Mattis, Val Busch, Terry and Dan Cook, Randy Harry, Christina Smith, White, Scott Creek and Jamie Craft.