MARION -- When you've held an outdoor event for four straight years and it rained on the activity three out of the four, you might expect it to happen again on your fifth try.
That's what the history has been for Fifth Annual Marion Main Street's Annual Rib Cookoff going into Saturday's downtown competition. So just imagine what must have been running through the minds of those in attendance when they saw dark clouds rolling in from the west later in the day as the event wound down.
Chris Blue is president of Marion Main Street and admitted that he and the others were a bit concerned about that day's weather forecast after being rained on so much in the past
"Yes, we were a little concerned," he said. "But, thankfully, the raindrops didn't begin falling in downtown Marion this year until around 5:05 p.m. The cook-off hours were from 3 to 5 p.m. We got it all in just in the nick of time."
While last year's cook off attracted a dozen teams, that number was topped this year with a total of 16 teams vying for the winner's trophy and cash prize.
Two trophies are awarded each year, one by blind taste judging by a panel of judges and the other chosen by guests voting for their favorite.
This year's winner of the best-judged barbecue went to the team, Marion Campground, headed up by Jerry and Julie Ross.
The People's Choice trophy went to the Smokin K's team headed up by Kenneth and Brandi Beverly of Marion.
The Beverlys are new to the area and Kenneth said that this was their first try at a barbecue competition here in Illinois
"We entered contests before back in Texas and we're really thrilled to get this trophy in our first try here in our new home area."
The five judges for this year's Fifth Annual Main Street Rib Cookoff were state Sen. Dale Fowler, local attorney David Lawler, Marion Mayor Anthony Rinella and certified barbecue judges, Tim Fulton and Spencer King.
