Smokin’ at the Speedway – 37th Annual 2016 American Royal World Series of Barbecue®
November 18, 2016
On the last Friday in October, a record setting 40,000 barbecue fans and team members took to the infield at Kansas Speedway for the 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, presented by Smithfield. With 568 teams, this year also saw more international competitors than in previous years. Representing 11 foreign countries, 20 international teams join teams from across the country to compete for the title of Grand Champion. During the four day event, over 47,000 people joined in on the fun participating in private parties, activities at the Cerner Cowtown Family Fun Fest, the Barbecue Hall of Fame induction ceremony and activities, cooking competitions, and entertainment on the Budweiser Stage including country sensation, Tyler Farr on Saturday night. Special thanks to the volunteer planning committees as well as the 326 volunteers who worked tirelessly, giving 3,009 hours of service during the event, to make this year’s barbecue a tremendous success.
The second annual Cowtown Famiy Fun Fest, presented by Cerner, was held on Saturday afternoon in the Fan Walk at Kansas Speedway. Kansas City families enjoyed family-friendly entertainment including face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, mechanical bull rides, Sporting KC’s futsal court, a costume parade, and musical entertainment featuring Mr. Stinky Feet and Drum Safari and the World Beat Band. Families also had the opportunity to trick or treat at vendor booths in the BBQ Marketplace or watch a Monster Energy BMX Bike Show performance.
Following the Cowtown Family Fun Fest, the 10th Annual Kid’s Que competition, filled to capacity with 75 competitors, gave future Pitmasters the opportunity to display their developing barbecue skills while grilling hamburger or steak. Competitors in the 6-10 year old division demonstrated their skills at cooking hamburgers while the 11-15 year old division grilled steaks. The hamburger and steaks for the competition were sponsored by Snake River Farms. During the Invitational Awards Ceremony all Kid’s Que participants were recognized and awarded with a participant ribbon, and the top three contestants in each age division received monetary awards of $100, $75, and $50 respectively. New to the competition in 2016 was a third round featuring ground pork sponsored by Smithfield. All competitors were invited to participate in the third round for the opportunity to win additional prize money and awards.
After a warm October afternoon of barbecuing, judging, and various fun-filled activities, barbecue teams and fans filed into the Speedway grandstands to learn the results of Saturday’s competitions. Kid’s Que contestants filled the stage to be acknowledged and Hana Uchiyama of BBQ Shogun, our first International Kid’s Que contestant, won 1st Place in the 6-10 year old division and Tristen Hoisington of Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Rub won 1st Place in the 11-15 year division. Results for the Invitational competition were awarded next and the crowd cheered as 913 BBQ was named Grand Champion. See below for more results from the Invitational competition. Following the awards ceremony in the Speedway grandstands, the festivities shifted to Victory Lane where Ardie Davis, David Knight, and Chris Lilly were celebrated for their barbecue expertise and inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame.
On Sunday afternoon, the final day of the World Series of Barbecue®, excitement levels were high as swarms of barbecue teams made their way to Garage D for turn in and judging. Later that day with smokers cooling and the results tabulated, barbecue teams, friends, and family once again found their way to the Speedway Grandstands for the Open competition awards ceremony. Following a surprise fly over by the Beechnutz, a Midwest aviation formation flying club, the teams celebrated a memorable weekend at the Speedway, taking photos and cheering for one another as each winning team was recognized. Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ was crowned Grand Champion of the Open competition. See below for more results from the Open competition.
Results from the Invitational competition presented by KC Masterpiece:
Grand Champion: 913 BBQ
Reserve Champion Shake ‘n Bake BBQ
1st Place Brisket TippyCanoe BBQ Crew
1st Place Pork Ribs Big Brothers BBQ
1st Place Pork Quetopia
1st Place Chicken Little Pig Town
Results from the Open competition presented by Snake River Farms:
Grand Champion: Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ
Reserve Champion: Montana Outlaw BBQ
1st Place Brisket Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ
1st Place Pork Ribs Clark Crew BBQ
1st Place Pork T-Mac Smokin
1st Place Chicken Fat Boys BBQ