Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Delight Barbecue Cook-Off Set For Weekend

The Southwest Arkansas Barbecue Association is hosting its cook-off May 5 and 6 in Keith Stone's hay meadow in Delight, just off Highway 26 toward Antoine.

Big money is being given away. So you want to enter you should get your grills and recipes and go over out for some great fun and competition. The contest is open to anyone who loves barbecue.

Last year's event drew 45 cooking teams from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida.

Prize money this year will be $7,500. The money is paid to 10 places in each category, which will include beef brisket, pork square ribs and chicken. There will also be a jackpot beans' competition with a 100 percent payback.

The grand champion will receive a trophy, go to the Kansas City Royale Cook-off and will be included in a lottery drawing for the Jack Daniel's Invitational, which is considered the granddaddy of all cook-offs.' Kingfisher Kountry Kooker will also present the grand champion chef with a pit cooker valued at $1,700.

Last year the event raised $9,000 for the Delight Volunteer Fire Department. This year's proceeds will be split between the Delight Boys Baseball Association and the fire department. A $500 Scholarship has also been established at the cook-off.

"We call our association the Southwest, and we want it to grow beyond the city and someone else to have the benefits of it as well," a news release stated.

There will be live entertainment, a horseshoe tournament, concessions and a car show and a barbecue supper served from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Meal tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

Persons interested in showing a car should contact Mark Slatton at 870-379-2423. There will be no entry fee for car show participants.

For more information about the cook-off or entering teams, contact Mike Davis at 870-379-2774, Steve Allgood at 870-379-2423, Macky and Rheta McKnight at 870-379-2771, Vance Wilson at 870-379-2278, LaFate and Elsa Parsons at 870-285-3872 or Pat Davis at 870-379-3142.