The fire was hot and the crowds were hungry at the 18th Annual Port Bolivar Fire Department BBQ Cookoff. Eighteen teams entered to compete and help raise funds for the department under some clever – and peculiar – names, Wood Stealing Thieves, Croc-O-Dogs, and Fart-A-Licious, to name a few. Regardless of the team name, the results were delicious. The local celebrity judges enjoyed a variety of flavors and textures in the dishes presented. Friday night began with the fajita competition, and continued on Saturday with beans, chicken, ribs, and brisket. Cloudy skies loomed, but rain never dampened the event as visitors purchased BBQ plates and delicious desserts. All submissions were in as the live auction started at 6pm. Many great silent auction items were bid on as the room packed with teams and visitors anxiously awaiting the results of the cookoff. As the auction progressed, category winners were announced.
It came as little surprise that team Fart-A-Licious won First in Beans and Fajitas. Wood Stealing Thieves won the Sportsmanship Award and First in Chicken. First in Ribs went to 2J’s Cook Team, and Double K Cookers won First in Brisket. Thousands were raised for a good cause and several teams donated their prize money back to the fire department. Congratulations to the competitors and winners. And thanks to all that supported the event and continue to support our fire department.