The tantalizing smells of tasty barbecue permeated the air at Ridge Ferry Park on Saturday afternoon and more than 500 people got a chance to sample the offerings from local teams competing in the second Backyard BBQ Bash presented by Courtesy Ford of Rome.
Cook teams began cooking Friday evening, cooked overnight into Saturday and then presented their offerings to a panel of judges as well as the local public. When the smoke cleared, literally, Seven Loaves BBQ from Cartersville raised the championship belt as the overall competition winner.
“It’s amazing to be able to win this belt. We stayed up all night cooking. Winning these trophies makes it all worth it,” Jay Hibner from Seven Loaves BBQ said. “This technique is something we’ve been playing with for about three or four years now. We’ve placed in other competitions, but this is the first time we’ve won. The championship belt is awesome. That’s the best overall prize we’ve seen at any competition.”
Seven Loaves finished first in the chicken category and second in the pork category, managing to outpoint the competition and claim the overall prize.
M&A BBQ from Cave Spring grabbed first place in pork, while Law Dawgs earned first place in the People’s Choice voting after the 1,500 total votes were tallied.
In the overall standings, M&A BBQ finished as runner-up, while Sydney’s Piggies and Fat Bottom BBQ finished tied for third.
“It was fun. It takes three of us to do it. We started at 7 p.m. and ended up at about 4 a.m.,” Nancy Fricks from M&A BBQ said. “We do the Pig Out in Cave Spring and have placed there a few times. It’s wonderful to be able to place here.”
Sydney’s Piggies and Smoking Gun BBQ rounded out the chicken category finishing second and third, respectively.
FCSO Night Shift grabbed third in the pork category, while Fat Bottom BBQ and Rollin Smoke BBQ finished second and third in the people’s choice voting. Seven Loaves BBQ also won best team name while Law Dogs won the award for best booth set up.
The event was also part of the Dirt Road Festival which had numerous vendors at Ridge Ferry Park on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, a car show at the event raised more than $900 for Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Camp Goodtimes.
Overall Results
1. Seven Loaves BBQ
2. M&A BBQ
3. Sydney’s Piggies
3. Fat Bottom BBQ
4. Smoking Gun BBQ
5. Rollin Smoke BBQ
6. Smokin Joe’s BBQ
7. Glowing Hollows BBQ
8. Law Dawgs BBQ
Pork Results
1. M&A BBQ
2. Seven Loaves BBQ
3. FCSO Night Shift
4. Fat Bottom BBQ
5. Law Dawgs
6. Rollin Smoke
7. Smokin Joes
7. Sydney’s Piggies
7. Smoking Gun BBQ
8. Glowing Hollows
Best Name – Seven Loaves BBQ
Best Booth Set Up – Law Dawgs
People’s Choice Voting
1. Law Dawgs
2. Fat Bottom BBQ
3. Rollin Smoke
4. M&A BBQ
5. Sydney’s Piggies
6. Seven Loaves BBQ
7. Smokin Joes
8. FCSO Night Shift
9. Smoking Gun BBQ
10. Glowing Hollows
Chicken Results
1. Seven Loaves BBQ
2. Sydney’s Piggies
3. Smoking Gun BBQ
4. Smokin Joes
4. Rollin Smoke
5. Fat Bottom BBQ
6. Glowing Hollows BBQ
7. Law Dawgs