Local BBQ'ers impress at Bash

MOSES LAKE - Less than perfect weather didn't stop a few hundred people from enjoying some barbeque and live music during the weekend's BBQ Bash in Moses Lake.

More than a dozen competitors from across the Northwest participated in the third annual Bash, hosted by the Moses Lake Business Association.

The local crew from Schmiggitty Sauce stayed overnight Saturday in downtown Moses Lake and started cooking for the competition at 1 a.m. Sunday. Dan Ogden, owner of Schmiggity Sauce on West Broadway Avenue, said he was very nervous in the company's first crack at a barbeque competition. The secret is in the sauce for Ogden, who said the product comes from an old family recipe from the co-owner Matt Cunkle, who started the business back in Pennsylvania.

The booth was busy both Saturday and Sunday for Ogden and his business partner Brandon Tatum, who was handing out samples of pulled pork and brisket with the original, garlic and hot versions of the sauce. The group came away with second place for People's Choice chili.

Ron Piercy, from Piercy Farms in Moses Lake, came back for a second year of competition, cooking in a 500-gallon homemade barbeque. Like Ogden and Tatum, Piercy started cooking early Sunday morning, competing with barbeque professionals, many of whom will be competing in the national competition in November in Las Vegas.

Piercy didn't come away with any awards, but likely had the most unique component under his tent. Combined with junk metal and parts from old John Deere combines, Piercy built an industrial sized cooker that would likely cost more than $10,000 to buy new. He said he found most the parts at a junk yard in Moses Lake.

While the barbeque competition was the headline, children also enjoyed the kids' zone and live music from Thief of Hearts, Cover Story, Lake City Blues and Free Beer Nuts entertained at Sinkiuse Square.

The complete list of barbeque contest winners will be posted on the Pacific Northwest Barbeque Association website at www.pnwba.com.