What do you get when you mix enthusiastic organizers, eager participants, great music and an appreciative public? We believe the beginning of an annual event that has the potential to grow as big as an Oktoberfest or a Wild West Fest.

The first Blues & BBQ took place this past weekend in conjunction with the annual downtown sidewalk sale in downtown Hays. Even though only six teams took part in the inaugural event, the cooking was hotter than the soaring temperatures outside. And judging by the looks on the tasters' faces, the meat was cooked to perfection.

Organizers fashioned the contest along judging rules established by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Plans are in place to get official sanctioning for next year. The cooking teams had specific time frames and presentation techniques as they smoked and grilled ribs, pulled pork, chicken and brisket. Eventual grand champion Woody's Sweet Meat and the others shared their culinary treats with the public.

Blues & BBQ could not have taken place without the well-coordinated efforts of a host of volunteers and sponsoring businesses. Sabrina William and Courtney Finnesy spearheaded the event, which has been in the planning for months. They were very ably assisted by Jason Rule, Henry Schwaller IV, Tom Mai and Brian Forinash. A host of other individuals and companies too numerous to mention deserve a pat on the back.

If you were fortunate enough to make it to the Chestnut Street District for the weekend's festivities, then you know how good it was. If you didn't, there's always next year. We fully anticipate the efforts of the Blues & BBQ coordinators to be even bigger in 2009.

Editorial by Patrick Lowry

plowry@dailynews.net

(Full disclosure: The Hays Daily News was one of the event's sponsors, and Patrick Lowry served as a judge in the barbecue contest.)