About a dozen or so BBQ tents were set up at Lakeside Park in Big Lake last Saturday for the 7th Annual Backyard BBQ Cook-Off entitled, Ribs for the Ribbon.

This family outing featured food, drinks, music and more, with all proceeds benefiting the Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization.

Under cloudy skies for most of the event, many of the BBQ booths handed out free samples to guests who arrived prior to the 3 p.m. public rib tasting challenge. Connoisseurs were required to buy a $15 rib box (or more) to receive tickets to redeem at the booths for a slab of pork ribs  and chicken delicacies. Along with the six tickets was a yellow ticket that was to be delivered to the BBQ booth that the taste-tester deemed the best.

Each additional $3 blue ticket purchased could be used to garner an additional rib. Cash payouts were distributed to the top three rib joints as well as the People’s Choice award.

In the silent auction, prizes included a patriotic corn hole game, a car washing basket, a popcorn basket, a Tumbling Timbers yard game kit, gift vouchers, a wooden eagle American flag, a taco-making basket, a gift basket from Lupulin Brewing, and a case of Coors Light, a Coors Light hat and a Coors Light lawn chair amongst many more items.

The rain held off and the ribs were delicious. Cheers to another successful Ribs for the Ribbon event!