By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
It is that time of year again. The Smoke on the Falls Noccalula Barbeque Festival will take place tomorrow, April 11 at the Noccalula Falls campgrounds in Gadsden.
The barbeque competition is sanctioned by the Kansas Barbeque Society.
This year, 34 professionals will compete with their best chicken, ribs, brisket and butt recipes. Some have come all the way from the United Kingdom to compete for the $13,000 in cash and prizes. Awards will be given for each meat category as well as two awards for overall performance. About 50 backyard teams will cook chicken and ribs for the judges.
This year the festival is free, although some of the children’s activities, like a tethered hot air balloon ride, a mechanical bull ride and an airborne parachute ride, will cost extra. Inflatables, sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department, will also be available for the children.
For the adults, although still family friendly, there will be local musicians playing near the main campground’s office for “Humming and Strumming on the Hill.” Blankets and chairs are allowed and encouraged.
Before the cooking gets underway, there will be a “Smoke Your Buns” 5K run. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8:15 a.m. The registration fee is $25, but the price includes a t-shirt. At 7:30 a.m. a Zumba warm-up will be held for race participants.