Interstate BBQ Festival Hagerstown, MD
by Mark Gibbs, Pitmaster of The Checkered Flag 500 BBQ
The second annual Interstate BBQ Festival is in the books for 2017. This competition has quickly become one of the “must-do” contests on the Mid-Atlantic schedule. In two short years, Rob Immer and his team have put together a well-organized, top flight contest that hosted 57 teams and Chamber of Commerce weather all weekend!
The contest hosted Dessert, Burger, Kid’s Que and People’s Choice categories as well this year. Dessert and Kid’s Que was brought home by We Rib U Long Time. Top scoring Burgers by Brother-Uncle BBQ and People’s Choice was brought home by the Sauce This! BBQ team. I am sure they put some addictive chemical in their people’s choice because they have people drooling every week!
Perhaps the most impressive presentation of the weekend was the MABA good luck shot hosted by Life is Good But BBQ is Better. Or more accurately, the good luck shot, bloody Mary bar, and food spread. Many folks pitched in and Don and Sandy Wallace played host to what will be hard to beat for future good luck shot hosts…but they’re sure encouraged to try! Check out videos here of the spread and actual toast given by LIGBBIB pitmaster Don Wallace!
This contest included a lot of vendors, bands and activities for everyone. Good Smoke BBQ from New York brought home KCBS Grand Championship. MABA’s own Drilling and Grilling from Glen Rock, PA brought home the Reserve Grand Championship. They are on a nice little roll here in the beginning of the season. Keep it up guys!
The Chicken category was won by 2 Rhodies BBQ and 2nd was Rhode Hog BBQ (I see a pattern here). Rib honors were brought home by Piggin’ Whiskey BBQ. These guys are starting to hit their stride in competition BBQ. Remember that team name folks! Drilling and Grilling brought home 1st Place honors in Pork and Bill Gillespie’s Smokin Hoggz MA brought home the big Brisket plank! Great job to all of the teams that were called and we hope to be back for year three of this great event!
Individual meat winners:
Chicken – 2 Rhodies BBQ
Ribs – Piggin’ Whiskey
Pork –Drilling & Grilling
Brisket – Smokin Hoggz BBQ – MA
Grand Champion – Good Smoke BBQ
Reserve – Drilling & Grilling
Full results can be found here.
