This year’s Smoke on the Water event lived up to its hype and so much more on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Old Settlers Park in Lynnville. The annual BBQ competition drew in a record 16 teams of pit masters, attracted over 500 attendees eager to taste the area’s best BBQ, garnered statewide coverage, and raised over $6,500 for the David and Vicky Bell family.
Sixteen teams of experienced barbecue and grilling enthusiasts brought their secret rubs, sauces, and techniques, hoping to earn a top spot in the cook-off of four meat categories – ribs, pork loin, pork butt, and brisket – and the People’s Choice Award of best side dish. Competitors set up camp at Old Settlers Park on Friday evening and started prepping their meat and side dishes. Many started cooking in the wee hours of Saturday morning in pursuit of prize-winning BBQ. On Saturday afternoon, after much preparation and time around the grills and smokers, competitors turned in their finished product, and a panel of judges had the tough task of tasting and scoring each category of meat. Later in the afternoon, community members had the chance to sample the work of each competitor for a $5 fee and choose the People’s Choice Award.
All profits this year went to Sophia Bell, daughter of David and Vicky Bell of Sully, for her fight with Cystic Fibrosis. The event raised over a whopping $6,500 for the grateful family. The winner of the 50/50 raffle, a gentleman visiting family in the area from Virginia, donated his winnings back to the Bell family. Additional highlights from the record-breaking day include the sponsorship and attendance of the Iowa Barbecue Society, a statewide organization that promotes BBQ at the competitive level, and the overwhelming support from the community. “We couldn't do this without the amazing community support – from volunteers, judges, donations, and the people who come to the event – it's all just so humbling! It's overwhelming to see how our event continues to grow. To everyone who donated, we thank you," said Smoke on the Water committee members. Meat was provided to each team through generous donations by Synergy of Sully, Moo’s BBQ of Newton, Performance food group of the Quad Cities, Sully Community Locker, Otley Locker, and Jamie and Vanessa Smock of Sully.
A date for the 2017 Smoke on the Water has already been set, and organizers hope the community will mark Aug. 26, 2017, on their calendars and save the date for next year’s smoking-hot event.
2016 Smoke on the Water winners
Grand Champions: R&C BBQ (Randy Vander Weerdt and Curt Dunsbergen, Sully)
Ribs: First place – Koon BQ (Matt and Sarah Koon, Newton); second place – T-Rex BBQ (Kyle Johnson, Newton)
Pork Butt: First place – R&C BBQ; second place – Never Easy BBQ (Joe Osbrink, Des Moines)
Pork Loin: First Place – Smokin’ J’s (Jeff Arment and Todd Kaldenberg, Lynnville); second place – Butt Rubbin Dutchmen (Jim Richardson and Shaun Vander Weerdt, Sully)
Brisket: First place – R&C BBQ, second place – Meat Militia (Sean Nore, Sully)
People’s Choice Award/Side Dish – River City Dirtbags (Dustin Dunsbergen and Brent Mintle, Lynnville)
Other participants: 4 Boys BBQ (Craig and Kaden Morgan, Des Moines); Noggen’s Q (Richard Grimes and John Greenley, Grimes); Bussey BBQ (Al Bregar, Bussey); Team North Skunk (Jason Scull, Lynnville); Backyard BBQ Boys (Jim Bazyn, Montezuma); Coffin and Jansen BBQ (Caleb Coffin and Tim Jansen, Lynnville); Kingsford Brothers (Steve Scull and Eric Jones, Lynnville); M-T Smokers (Mark Van Wyk and Justin Flanders, Lynnville)
Smoke on the Water Photo Album
