Who: Fargo
What: Canadian National Barbecue Championships
Where: Dusty’s
When: Aug. 3-4
Bluegrass and barbecue are coming to Dusty’s.
Bluegrass band Fargo, which features Pemberton musician "Bongo" Rich Doucette, have been playing at Dusty’s and Vancouver’s Copper Tank in Kitsilano throughout the year. They’ll be performing on the deck at Dusty’s during the Canadian National Barbecue Championships Aug. 3-4.
Locals are getting revved up for the taster event, including wordsman and barabecue guy G.D. Maxwell.
When asked whether barbecuing is a sport or hobby, Maxwell quips "…it’s an obsession. A philosophy. A religion. Barbecue is God."
Is barbecuing really the ultimate culinary North American entertainment?
"No. Maybe. Yer either fer it or against it. If yer fer it, there isn't anything better," he adds.
Whistler-Blackcomb’s Tony Wayland and Dusty’s chef Kathy Monk have spearheaded the event.
"I hope visitors get an appreciation of barbecuing and learn how to prepare and turn otherwise fair pieces of meat into really good meat," says Wayland.
"We want to encourage people about the fun of barbecuing, and it should be a great family affair."
Meat inspection for the competition is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and teams whip out their tongs and lighters a few hours later.
"I think the weekend event takes a couple different levels – it goes from being a hobby to a sport," adds Wayland.
Judging takes place at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
There will also be a backyard barbecue competition, where anyone in Whistler can show off their expertise over the briquettes or wood – no propane.
Four categories, including beef brisket, pork ribs, pork butt and chicken spice up the event.
