Summit is getting fired up for the return of Smokin’ on the Tracks, with the two-day barbecue festival that also includes live music and a car show returning April 22 and 23.
Smokin’ on the Tracks chairman India Warshauer said proceeds from the 11th annual event will benefit five local nonprofits — the McComb Animal Shelter, ASAP, PALS Rescue, the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, Flo’s Angels, the Miracle League and the Summit Historical Society.
This year’s musical acts include The Counts and the Delaware Horns, which take the stage at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by Castro Coleman. On Saturday, the music kicks off with the North Pike High School band’s rock ’n’ roll ensemble, The Hippies in the End Zone, followed by Ransakk, J.T. McCaffery and the Bluz Boyz.
Vendors will be on hand selling food and other items, and a car show will be held along Robb Street on Saturday.
The main event is the barbecue competition. Warshauer, speaking to the McComb Exchange Club on Thursday, said 16 teams have signed up so far and she’s hoping that more than 20 will eventually be in the competition.
The competition is not affiliated with any particular competitive barbecue organization, Warshauer noted.
“We’re not sanctioned, so a lot of people don’t do it,” she said.
Chad Reed, an Exchange Club member who competes in barbecue contests as far away as Texas, said Smokin’ on the Tracks can serve as a good warm-up for bigger competitions.
“This is kind of their warm up,” he said. “They’re trying new recipes before they go pay bigger money and go to some of the bigger contests.”
Reed, last year’s grand champion, said he enters Smokin’ on the Tracks for different reasons.
“I do it because this is my local contest,” he said. “With us, it’s our hometown.
He said it’s a fun weekend — and a relatively inexpensive one compared to the high-dollar entry fees some competitions have.
Contestants are judged on chicken, ribs, pork and beef brisket. It’s $50 per category to enter the contest or $150 for all four.
During the competition, festival-goers can give “tips for tastes” to sample the goods. The team that takes in the most money receives the People’s Choice Award.
“A lot of people think you have to be a professional to do this. If you can cook, it doesn’t matter how fancy your are,” Warshauer said, adding that one contestant with a Weber grill won while going up against competitors with more elaborate smokers.
The grand champion will win $500 and those who place receive a trophy that’s a cutting board hand made by Robert Accardo.
