Eric Jenkins, of Olympia, right, and Eric Lindeblom, of Tumwater, cut beef brisket Saturday afternoon in preparation for Sunday's Barbecue contest at the Cascade Country Cook-Off at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis on Saturday.
Judges go through a course on how to correctly decree the winning combination for barbecue on Saturday at the Cascade Country Cook-Off at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis on Saturday.
Jim Wheeler, of Chehalis, scoops up some of his homemade chili prior to it being entered into Saturday's Chili Contest at the Cascade Country Cook-Off at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis.
Visitors look at cars during the Cascade Country Car Show on Saturday at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis.
The seventh annual Cascade Country Cook-Off and Cascade Car Show took place Saturday and Sunday with barbecue competitors cooking over night, and car fanatics showing up for both days to win various prizes.
This year, the “Damn Straight Barbeque” team earned the title of grand champion over 32 other teams and qualified for a statewide drawing to go to the Jack Daniel’s National Invitational competition in Tennessee. Prizes and checks were awarded to places first through seventh in categories of pork, brisket, ribs and chicken, with cumulative scores determining the champions.
The car show drew more than 145 cars, with 42 original, hand-made custom trophies awarded in many categories, including best in show, custom or modified, in progress, best paint job and people’s choice.
Aside from the actual competition, there was an amateur barbeque class from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and a judge’s class, which instructs judges on how the regulations of the competition work. Scores are based on the presentation, texture and tenderness, and flavor of the meat.
Entertainment for the event was provided by the “Wolfman” Joe Lacoco and Backfire Band, all local performers.
“We’re very privileged to be here,” said Rodney Givens, lead singer of Backfire. “It’s really becoming a major event.”
“I’ve lived around this area for quite a while. It’s a fun little community if you get involved. If you give a little to the community, it’ll give back ten-fold.” said Lacoco. “You gotta give in order to receive.”
Both days were sunny with seasonally high temperatures, which some speculate brought a larger crowd.
“We just love this. It brings out the cars, it brings out the people, and they just want to have fun,” said Judy DeVaul, the event’s organizer. “The weather just makes all the difference.”
