The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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January 25, 2011

Red Dirt Barbeque slated for April 14-16

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — The sixth annual Roberts Ranch Smokin Red Dirt Barbeque is set for April 14-16 and has added events this year.

Lynne Benkendorf, of Eagle Marketing, which is partnering this year with Enid Noon AMBUCS, said the student art show is scheduled for April 14, as is a free student make-it-and-take-it art show. Students can go to one of about 10 arts and crafts stations, make an item and take it home free. Kremlin artist H. Holden will judge the art show again this year.

An adult art show also will be featured all three days, with local, regional and statewide artists whose works will be for sale. Benkendorf said organizers also are trying to scheduled a Miracle League baseball game in David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

The Roberts Ranch Smokin Red Dirt Barbeque is partnering with the Enid Noon AMBUCS this year, and all proceeds will go to renovation of ABC park, which is a $500,000 project.

This year, barbecue activities also will feature the Little Miss Red Dirt Pageant. The contest will be for girls ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 9. Deadline for applications is be Feb. 25, and there is a $25 entry fee. Fees and rules are on the Roberts Ranch Smokin Red Dirt Barbeque website at reddirtbbq.com. The pageant will be 6 p.m. April 15 at Simpson’s Olde Time Museum.

Among the duties of the pageant winners will be to hand out awards at the barbecue, Benkendorf said.

On March 12, two members of Kansas City Barbecue Society will be at Cherokee Strip Conference Center to instruct prospective barbecue judges. Enrollment is $90 for non-members and $55 for KCBS members. The fee includes entry into KCBS and a year’s subscription to the society magazine The Bull Sheet.

The class will be 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will teach people how to judge barbecue contests and will certify them as judges. Registration also is on the barbecue website.

The barbecue will partner with Main Street Enid again this year for the annual Jazz Stroll. Jazz will be played April 15 at nearly 20 venues in Enid during the evening. In addition, the barbecue will sponsor continuous music of all varieties all day April 15-16. Music will begin at 3 p.m. April 15 and will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16. Music will play continually from a stage in front of Pastimes Restaurant, in 45-minute to hour-long performances, said Cathy Nulph, director of the musical portion of the barbecue activities.

“Last year there were 75 teams, and we expect 100 teams this year,” Benkendorf said. “Five of the top five teams in the Kansas City Barbecue Society competed here last year. Enid is becoming the premier contest.”

Enid has one of the top two contests in the state in terms of the number of entrants.

Frank Baker, director of Eagle Marketing, said he believes Enid is on the cusp of an event with statewide draw. There already are contestants from six states and judges from five states entered in the barbecue.

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