Smoke on the Water representatives present a $52,000 check to the family of Carol Lukehart: Left to right, Jill Crawford, Darci Jansen, McKinley Fisk, Allen Newell, Kemper and Elly Lukehart, Monty Lukehart, Shaylin, Liam, and Mitchell Bryan, Sage Zylstra, and Alex Roseen.
Caring hearts of the community shone bright amidst a sorrowful day with an outpouring of love, support, and record-breaking generosity at the 12th annual Smoke on the Water event, a BBQ competition and benefit held Saturday, Aug. 23, at Old Settlers Park in Lynnville.
Emotions on Saturday ran the full spectrum. Hundreds of people poured into Old Settlers Park to show their support for the Lukehart family. Carol Lukehart, who was named this year’s SOTW beneficiary in April, passed away early Saturday morning after a valiant fight with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
Lukehart’s family, including husband Monty, daughter Shaylin and her husband Mitchell and their son Liam, and son Kemper and his wife Elly, showed up in their immense grief to be lifted up by family, friends, community members, and complete strangers who gathered to support them. At the end of the night, the Lukehart family accepted a check for $52,000 – a record number raised by Smoke on the Water.
This year’s Smoke on the Water event proved it was much more than food and trophies – it was about rallying together and extending a hand when needed most. “Every year, your generosity creates hope, and it reminds me of the power of this small-town spirit,” McKinley Fisk, Smoke on the Water Publicity Chair, told the crowd Saturday night. “Remember, you’re part of something much bigger than BBQ. Together, we are making a difference.”
The 14 teams of pitmasters who helped make a difference arrived at Old Settlers Friday evening and immediately started preparations for the competition. On Saturday, the smoke was rolling, and the scent of BBQ wafted through the air. Amanda Van Zante opened up Saturday’s activities with a beautiful rendition of “The National Anthem.” Teams continued to work throughout the day perfecting recipes and plating finished products to turn into a panel of judges whose taste-buds had the task of selecting winners in each of the six categories. As the 4 p.m. tasting hour approached, a large crowd filled Old Settlers driveway and eventually weaved past the teams’ tents and tables for samples of award-winning BBQ. Throughout the day, the Killduff Hotshots
4-H Club held a bake sale and donated $700 to the Lukehart family. The winner of the 50/50 raffle, Brenda Shinn, also donated her winnings back for a total of $680 given to the family. The record-breaking total raised – $52,000 – was also bolstered by silent and live auctions and generous sponsors. Rylan James served as auctioneer for the evening.
This year’s grand champion honors went to McDonald Family BBQ who edged the reserve grand champion, Limp Brizkit, by just over a point.
Smoke on the Water is a BBQ competition sanctioned by the Iowa BBQ Society and a benefit whose mission is to raise money for a family in the community facing medical hardship. In the past 12 years, SOTW has raised over $220,000.
Winners of the 12th Annual Smoke on the Water BBQ competition are:
Grand Champion: McDonald Family BBQ. Reserve Champion: Limp Brizkit.
Chicken: 1st – Limp Brizkit, 2nd – Chester’s Twisted Que, 3rd – McDonald Family BBQ.
Ribs: 1st – Family Tradition BBQ, 2nd – Limp Brizkit, 3rd – Shamrock BBQ.
Pork: 1st – McDonald Family BBQ, 2nd – Family Tradition BBQ, 3rd – Chester’s Twisted Que.
Brisket: 1st – Limp Brizkit BBQ, 2nd – McDonald Family BBQ, 3rd – Family Tradition BBQ.
Mystery Meat: 1st – McDonald Family BBQ, 2nd – Limp Brizkit, 3rd – A1C.
Side Dish: 1st – A1C, 2nd – Down Under BBQ, 3rd – No Swine Left Behind.
