Basin BBQ Bash next weekend
Warren Small, of Smulligan's BBQ Co., places French fries alongside a pulled pork sandwich during last year's Basin BBQ Bash in downtown Moses Lake. This year's event takes place Sept. 21 and 22.
MOSES LAKE - Downtown Moses Lake will be filled with the smell of barbecue next weekend during the Moses Lake Business Association's annual Basin BBQ Bash.
Hundreds of residents are expected to attend this year's event, which will take place Sept. 21 and 22 in Sinkiuse Square, MLBA Executive Director Jasmyne DeBeaumont said. Third Avenue from Alder Street to Cedar Street will be shut down to traffic, she said.
The main draw of course, is the barbecue competition, she said. The Pacific Northwest BBQ Association is hosting the competition.
"They bring competitors from Canada, Idaho and all over the Northwest to compete in different categories," DeBeaumont said.
Categories include brisket, chicken, pulled pork and other meats, she said. The best part of the competition is the fact that the public will be able to sample most of the entries, DeBeaumont said.
The BBQ Bash kicks off Saturday with a Car and Bike Show hosted by the Sickboy Greaser Club at 10 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., the band Cover Story will perform.
The BBQ competition starts at noon. The event's kid zone, beer garden and vendor booths also open to the public at noon.
Local breweries including Ten Pin Brewing Co., St. Brigid's Brewery and Ancient Lakes Brewery will have products available at this year's beer garden. Wine from Camas Cove Cellars will also be available.
The kid zone features a bounce house, inflatable rides and various games.
Lake City Blues performs at 1 and 5 p.m.
There will be a wing-eating contest at 4 p.m. DeBeaumont said there will be two rounds each for adult and kid competitors.
Nia Karson's is providing the wings for the competition and Schmiggitty Sauce is providing the sauce to cover the wings, she said.
There is no cost to enter the contest.
Saturday's events end at 7 p.m.
Thief of Hearts performs at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, right before the kid zone, beer garden and booths open again at noon. Free Beer Nuts takes the stage at 2 p.m.
Three barbecues will be raffled Sunday, DeBeaumont said. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the event or at ArtGarden Pottery on Third Ave in Moses Lake.
The winners of the competition will be announced at 4 p.m.
To see a complete schedule of events, visit www.mlbacares.org.