Professional and amateur barbecue cooks converge on Fort Gibson’s Centennial Square on Friday and Saturday to participate in the Smokin’ the Fort Bar-B-Q and Bluegrass Festival.

Throughout Friday evening and the all-day Saturday, the public can munch on barbecue, browse vendors, take children to a Kid’s Corner, and hear free live music.

The public should bring lawn chairs to enjoy it all, said Brad Clinkenbeard, festival chairman.

The professional cooks will earn points toward awards presented by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

Visitors can see local amateur cooks competing in a People’s Choice category, each team hoping the public will judge them the best in either individual or church team competition.

“We have 12 entries signed up in the professional category,” Clinkenbeard said. “But, because these people really don’t get involved until the week it’s going to happen, up to 20 may participate.”

He said those competing in the Kansas City Barbecue Society category will come from all over this part of the state. Because this is a registered event, and is at the end of the seasonal tour, it’s a way for area professionals to accumulate points and increase their ranking without having to drive great distances.

“And they can get home in time for trick or treat.”

“There’s supposed to be five of the top 25 in the Kansas City Barbecue Society already signed up for this,” Clinkenbeard said.

They will be scored by professional judges. Local barbecue cooks will be judged by members of the public who purchase a tasting kit Saturday.

The music portion of the festival begins with a country music concert by the band Heartland from 8 p.m. Friday until midnight. Saturday featuring a full day of bluegrass music beginning at 10 a.m. The three bluegrass groups featured Saturday include SpringStreet, The Park Family and Rockin’ Acoustics Circus. They will entertain until 5 p.m.

Fort Gibson’s Chamber of Commerce will use proceeds from this event as seed money for next year’s festival with the balance benefiting the town in some way.



Schedule

Friday

8 p.m. to midnight — Country music concert by Heartland band.

8 p.m. — Chamber of Commerce sells barbecue sandwiches, chips and drink for $5.

Saturday

6:30 to 9:30 a.m.: Masonic Lodge offers breakfast for cooks and the public.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Bluegrass music featuring SpringStreet, The Park Family and Rockin’ Acoustics Circus.

10 a.m. — Vendors offer hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, arts and crafts all day.

10 a.m. — Kid’s Corner across the street from the park gazebo, featuring two jumping games, face painting and temporary tattoos.

10:30 a.m. — Pie eating contest, anyone can enter.

11 a.m. — Barbecue tasting kits go on sale for $5.

Noon — Schooner race. A block-long race featuring three-man teams pushing, pulling or dragging homemade covered wagons.

1:30 p.m. — Professional cooks turn in their entries of ribs, brisket, pork and chicken to be judged by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

3 p.m. — Winners of People’s Choice, individual and church competition, announced.

4 p.m. — Costume contest, pets, kids and adults. Awards presented in each category.