By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

RUSSELL -- When planning a new event to promote the downtown area, organizers were looking to incorporate three different components: Main Street business, high-school spirit and, of course, good food.

The result was Bricks, Broncs and BBQ, Russell Main Street's first Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned event.

"I thought a barbecue would be a great way to bring in outside people and have a great event for the community," said Stephanie Cross, director of Russell Main Street Inc. "We have a pretty neat little downtown. We have some new shops, and they're eager to have outsiders see what's in them."

Barbecue teams from throughout Kansas and as far away as South Dakota have signed on for the competition. There are 20 teams registered and approximately 25 will be welcome, Cross said.

Certified judges also are needed for the competition.

The chefs can begin work as early as Friday morning, with team check-in running from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The meat will be judged Saturday afternoon in three categories: pork ribs, pork and brisket.

Competitors also will be asked to prepare extra pork, which will be used for a community dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds will be used for next year's event, Cross said, noting the downtown organization hopes to host the contest annually.

Other food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enter their homemade chili and salsa in a taste-test competition planned for Saturday morning.

The weekend's itinerary is crammed with activities. Also Saturday, about 100 participants are expected to enter the downtown Flatland Car Show.

Prizes will be given to the top 20 entries, and the top three cycles and power sports vehicles, as picked by participants. Judges will determine the winners of six additional categories.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Russell Rotary club, said organizer Mike Schoech, owner of Auto Artistry.

Other car shows have taken place in years past, but plans were made this year to coincide with the barbecue event. A poker run and A&W cruise night also are slated for this weekend.

"A lot of these car shows you go to, you show up and sit around all day. And some do enjoy that," Schoech said. "But if there's something else you want to do, there are plenty of other activities going on."

For more information, or to participate in the barbecue event, contact Russell Main Street at (785) 483-2897. To see a complete schedule of events, visit www.HDNews.net.