The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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April 13, 2011

It’s Smokin’ Red Dirt Barbeque time

6th annual event activities begin today

By Cindy Allen, Managing Editor Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Some of the best barbecue cooks in the region will be pulling into Enid with their elaborate smokers and cookers Friday morning for the sixth annual Roberts Ranch Smokin’ Red Dirt Barbeque.

However, preliminary events begin today with several activities, including a student art show and arts festival and Enid Noon AMBUCS Miracle League exhibition game.

“The weather is supposed to be beautiful and it looks dry,” said event organizer Lynn Benkendorf, alluding to previous years that have included rain and even snow.

It may be a bit windy and cooler on Friday; but so far there is no burn ban in Garfield County, and everything is set to go for the weekend, she said. Temperatures Friday are forecast to be in the 60s and in the 70s for Saturday.

The public is invited to participate in a variety of activities beginning today, and an advertisement with daily activities will be published in the print edition of the Enid News & Eagle. Information can be found online at RedDirtBBQ.com.

Today’s activities start at 3 p.m. with the student art show and arts festival opening in the Cherokee Strip Conference Center. Author and story performer Marilyn Hudson will entertain 4:30-8 p.m. The Miracle League exhibition game will take place at David Allen Memorial Ballpark at 6 p.m.

Things really get cooking on Friday when 67 cooking teams set up their rigs in the parking lots east and west of Convention Hall. Music will get started at 3 p.m. and will continue through the evening downtown and at several venues for the Main Street Jazz Stroll, which has become part of the Smokin’ Red Dirt Barbeque.

At 5 p.m. Friday, free pulled pork sandwiches will be given away courtesy of Roberts Ranch and the National Pork Board. Beginning at 6 p.m., the public may sample barbecue prepared by the cooking teams. Plates for the People’s Choice event can be purchased for $7 apiece. There are a limited number of plates, and tickets may be purchased through 4 p.m. at the Enid News & Eagle and afterward at the ticket booth near the event.

Rib-eaters will gather at 7 p.m. for the annual rib-eating contest sponsored by Rib Crib.

An important reminder to attendees at this year’s event is to not park in the Security National Bank parking lot, Benkendorf said.

“We will have members of the ham radio group patrolling the parking lot to keep people from parking there,” Benkendorf said. “That is where we set off the fireworks (provided by Western Enterprises), and if there are any cars in the lot, we can’t shoot the fireworks.”

Music and the smell of barbecue will fill the air through downtown Friday night, and fireworks will be shot at about 9 p.m., weather permitting.

On Saturday, YWCA will host a “Day Without Violence” with children activities and games on Maine Street beginning at 10 a.m.

AMBUCS will begin serving a barbecue lunch at 11 a.m. Cost is $8 at the door, and each ticket gives you a chance at a $1,000 cash drawing.

At noon, the Kansas City Barbeque Society judging of the competitors’ chicken, ribs, brisket and pulled pork begins. The KCBS awards ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m., when a total of $12,000 in prize money will be given away.

Benkendorf said cooking teams are coming this year from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Colorado. There are 21 teams competing from the local area, and about a third of the teams are new to the Smokin’ Red Dirt Barbeque.

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