Saturday’s barbecue cook-off benefits Lassen Senior Services

What started off four short years ago as a humble, mostly local barbecue competition held in the Tractor Supply parking lot has grown into a real, honest-to-goodness barbecue contest with serious consequences. Proceeds from the event benefit Lassen Senior Services. Organizer Alan Dowdy said this year’s event — held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds — features nearly 30 professional barbecue teams from all over the West Coast competing in four categories (brisket, pork, pork ribs and chicken). Each team prepares all four items, and they compete under Kansas City Barbecue Society and California Barbecue Association rules.

“I’m really impressed with the quality of teams we’ve got this year,” Dowdy said, “and we do have four local teams competing.”

Dowdy said three of the teams are in the tight fight for Rookie of the Year honors from the CBA, and the number five team in the state will be here as well — a team that’s been invited to participate in the prestigious Jack Daniels Classic.

Penny Arts, executive director of LSS, said there also are four teams competing for Team of the Year honors from the CBA.

The event also features a craft fair, amusements for children such as a huge waterslide (big enough for adults and children), a vintage car show and several beer and wine vendors. Local musicians will perform live music between 1 and 4 p.m.

For more information, call LSS at 257-2113.