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1st Annual sun city
festival BBQ cook-off & balloon festival
Buckeye, Arizona
November 7 - 8, 2008
This contest was an
"Official Triple Crown of BBQ" Arizona event which was
held at the Pulte Del Webb retirement community in
Buckeye, Arizona. The event was a KCBS Sanctioned
contest, as well as, an "Official" State Championship
event. There was a balloon festival and an arts and
crafts festival going on at the same time as the BBQ
championship.
This would be All Hogs go
to Heaven’s 3rd year going to Arizona on
Veterans Day weekend. The first trip was to Lake
Pleasant, the second was to Rawhide, an old western
setting, and this 3rd trip was at the Pulte
Del Webb retirement community. It was out in the middle
of “no where”, and was absolutely beautiful!Ted and
Ardith left on Thursday and met up with Ron and Toni in
San Bernardino. Toni had some decorations for the BBQ
site. We all had breakfast and then Ted and Ardith left
for Blythe, California where they spent the night. Toni,
Ron, Steve, Kathy, and Don would leave on Friday morning
to make the 6 hour drive from Lancaster to Buckeye.
When Ted and Ardith
arrived they met up with Mike Reimann who directed us to
our parking spot. We waited for Steve to arrive with the
trailer before settling into our home away from home for
the next 2 days. What a lovely setting, we were located
just across from the golf course which was an oasis in
the desert to say the least. It was beautiful! The grass
didn’t have a weed in it, just lush and green. And the
golf carts kept Ted and Steve busy with all the
different body styles. The people that came from the
retirement community were great and so interesting to
talk too. On Friday eve, we prepared for the anything
butt and dessert contest. Toni did her magic with the
garnish and decorating the booth.
We all went to bed early
to prepare for the next day’s events. Steve got up in
the middle of the night as usual to prepare the fire for
the cooking. Saturday, we had some friends John, Joan,
and Judy Bergner that moved from Lancaster to Phoenix
come by to see us, and spend the afternoon. After the
meat turn in we participated in the people’s
choice. That is Kathy and Don’s specialty and they did a
great job dispensing the BBQ.
It was then time for the
awards. They had a great band that played “Son of the
Pioneer’s” type music, making Ted wish we were closer to
the band this time. During the awards presentation we
received 14th in chicken, 2nd in
ribs, 4th in pork, 7th in brisket,
3rd in dessert, and 4th in
anything butt. We received the Reserve Grand Champion
overall. This was the first time we got the “big check”
showing our award.
Mike Reimann did an
outstanding job of setting up and executing the
event. All three events that he has sponsored in Arizona
have been outstanding, our thanks to you Mike! Also we
would like to thank Merl and Carol Whitebook for
representing this event. What an outstanding event, we
can’t wait until next year!
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