The Polk County Chamber of Commerce’s 7th annual Smoke in the Pines State Championship Barbecue Cookoff June 26-27 at Pedigo Park was the largest and most successful one yet with 61 cook teams from all over Texas and Louisiana competing.
Sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association (IBCA), the cookoff is held on the last weekend of the IBCA points year, with all of the IBCA teams trying to grab as many last-minute points as possible. A huge deal to them, many of these teams travel and compete every weekend. Numerous local teams cooked and competed as well.
This year’s Smoke in the Pines set records in several categories, including: 61 cook teams; 35 cars in the Smokin’ Hot Auto & Bike Show; 29 kids competing in the Kids ‘Cue (ages 5-17); 20 vendors; six kid vendors; and a cornhole tournament. Local musician Anthony Walls performed on Friday night and Bootleg Country Band performed on Saturday night, with everyone enjoying dancing and visiting while listening to the bands.
A Kid Zone consisting of an area that offered things for kids to do was added this year. There was a watermelon eating contest, coloring contest, hula hoop contest, cake walk and Poopsie Whimsical making balloon animals and Touchet Designs doing face painting. All of it was free for the kids.
Polk County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Brenda Clifton and her husband John, both of whom head up the annual Smoke in the Pines Barbecue Cookoff, learned this week they have been nominated for the IBCA Citation of Merit Award in recognition of their contributions and work with IBCA. This award is one of the highest recognition awards IBCA gives and will be presented at IBCA’s annual meeting and banquet Aug. 8 in Fredericksburg.
Additionally, the Cliftons are bringing a St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital barbecue cookoff and auction fundraiser to Polk County Oct. 9-10.
“My father-in-law was one of five that started this event in San Jacinto County 28 years ago. This event has raised over a $1,000,000 for St Jude’s Children’s Hospital research in the last 28 years. The couple that promoted the event since its inception announced that they were retiring. I felt in my heart that it is too great of a fundraiser to let go of. So, John and I will be working to raise money to save the children,” Clifton said, adding, “I can only hope that we will be as successful as they were. Please put this on your calendar and make plans to attend.”
