More than 100 teams of competitors converged on Dana Point to show off their barbecuing skills in what is, according to event organizers, California’s largest barbecue competition.
The Dana Point State BBQ Championship was held on Saturday, October 4. According to Arlie Bragg, the event organizer, not only is this competition the largest in the state, but it might very well be the biggest this side of the Mississippi.
Despite the recent heatwave, 102 competitors braved the high temperatures to show up at Sea Terrace Park to compete for championship titles, money, and, of course, the all-important bragging rights.
This makes the fourth year for the event, which drew a crowd of 7,000 last year. The competition had 157 judges, six of whom are tasked with tasting each team’s entries. The Kansas City Barbeque Society is responsible for the judge’s certification.
Teams come from as far away as Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Included in the teams are special runners to transport the entries to the judges’ station. Each carefully cut and presented barbecued entry is placed lovingly on a bed of lettuce and parsley inside a Styrofoam container and literally run over to where the judges are. Entries risk disqualification if the transportation takes too long.
Many of these competitions are held in conjunction with a city’s festival or fundraiser. Banner printing services can help build excitement and drum up interest, thereby increasing attendance.
