Mrs. TVWB and I had a really nice time yesterday in Susanville, CA judging barbecue at the 4th Annual Lassen County BBQ Cookoff with all proceeds benefiting Lassen Senior Services. Congratulations to organizers Alan Dowdy and Penny Artz for putting together a great event for the competition teams, the judges, and the community at large.
We'd never been to Susanville before, and it's just a fact that it takes some effort to get there. What seems to be the most direct route is to travel north on I-5 out of Sacramento, take a right at Red Bluff and drive east past Lake Almanor until you arrive in Susanville. However, the easier but less intuitive drive is to head east on I-80 out of Sacramento to Reno, Nevada, then take I-395 northwest back across the California border for the last 85 miles to Susanville. Along the way you pass White Lake, Red Rock summit, and the Honey Lake Valley...it's a beautiful drive at an elevation of 4000-4500' the whole way between Reno and Susanville.
The contest was held at the Lassen County Fairgrounds and admission for the public was only $5. This small fee entitled people to 12 one-ounce samples of People's Choice barbecue and a single ticket to vote for their favorite. As far as the KCBS contest goes, there were 27 teams from California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona competing for $10,000 and some cool trophies. The top three CBBQA Rookie of the Year teams were there battling it out...and congratulations to Bull Market BBQ for winning GC and currently sitting atop the RoY leader board. Old Town Franklin BBQ took RC. Shout-out to Craig at Cynical BBQ for taking 3rd overall and Zack at Son of Smoke BBQ for taking 5th overall with his band of WSMs.
Here are some photos...enjoy!
Just part of the beautiful drive between Reno and Susanville.
When we saw this sign, we knew we were in the right place!
Judging took place in the air-conditioned comfort of Jensen Hall, greatly appreciated on a 90°F day.
Thanks to all the sponsors who helped make this event happen!
A table full of unique trophies--an engraved cleaver mounted in a block of 100+ year old reclaimed barn wood from right here in Susanville.
This trophy awaits the Grand Champion.
They had some neat t-shirts available for sale...
It was only upon closer inspection that I noticed this bull is cookin' on a WSM!
There was also a charity auction with lots of gift baskets, a Traeger Jr, and these two quilts. The one on the left is the Quilt of Valor that was given away in a raffle to a military veteran.
We arrived early on Friday so we checked out the team area. What a beautiful backdrop against the mountains.
Continued...
We'd never been to Susanville before, and it's just a fact that it takes some effort to get there. What seems to be the most direct route is to travel north on I-5 out of Sacramento, take a right at Red Bluff and drive east past Lake Almanor until you arrive in Susanville. However, the easier but less intuitive drive is to head east on I-80 out of Sacramento to Reno, Nevada, then take I-395 northwest back across the California border for the last 85 miles to Susanville. Along the way you pass White Lake, Red Rock summit, and the Honey Lake Valley...it's a beautiful drive at an elevation of 4000-4500' the whole way between Reno and Susanville.
The contest was held at the Lassen County Fairgrounds and admission for the public was only $5. This small fee entitled people to 12 one-ounce samples of People's Choice barbecue and a single ticket to vote for their favorite. As far as the KCBS contest goes, there were 27 teams from California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona competing for $10,000 and some cool trophies. The top three CBBQA Rookie of the Year teams were there battling it out...and congratulations to Bull Market BBQ for winning GC and currently sitting atop the RoY leader board. Old Town Franklin BBQ took RC. Shout-out to Craig at Cynical BBQ for taking 3rd overall and Zack at Son of Smoke BBQ for taking 5th overall with his band of WSMs.
Here are some photos...enjoy!
Just part of the beautiful drive between Reno and Susanville.
When we saw this sign, we knew we were in the right place!
Judging took place in the air-conditioned comfort of Jensen Hall, greatly appreciated on a 90°F day.
Thanks to all the sponsors who helped make this event happen!
A table full of unique trophies--an engraved cleaver mounted in a block of 100+ year old reclaimed barn wood from right here in Susanville.
This trophy awaits the Grand Champion.
They had some neat t-shirts available for sale...
It was only upon closer inspection that I noticed this bull is cookin' on a WSM!
There was also a charity auction with lots of gift baskets, a Traeger Jr, and these two quilts. The one on the left is the Quilt of Valor that was given away in a raffle to a military veteran.
We arrived early on Friday so we checked out the team area. What a beautiful backdrop against the mountains.
Continued...
