MARTINEZ — Barbecuing, like the rest of life, has become much more complex. Proof of that was the smashing success of the King of the County BBQ Challenge and Music Festival in Martinez over the weekend.

Whether it is an art or skill, fun-loving barbecue amateurs were up for the challenge, and a bigger crowd (about 7,500) appreciated the ambiance created by eight bands, a misting tent, friendly faces and more than 60 booths to browse.

Actually, there were two barbecue competitions for King of the County: Saturday's scorching hot day for pork ribs and a warm, but more comfortable Sunday contest for chicken, beef ribs and sausage contests.

"We had barbecue teams from Santa Clara, Fremont, Pleasanton and Antioch, as well as locals," said Reba Bower, Martinez Chamber of Commerce membership director.

In addition to barbecue, the music festival featured the Carlos Reyes Band, Lavey Smith and her Red hot Skillet Lickers, J.C. Smith Blues, Zydeco Flames, Fred McCarty & The Contenders, Greg Lamboy, Rhythm Deluxe Blues and Jukebox Heroes.

And kids created fun of their own climbing onto park play equipment, four inflatable jumping games, and the electric train, and were drawn to the booths featuring art and wax hands, airbrush tattoos, hair-beading and yoyo balloons.

But barbecue was the signature event of the weekend.

Pork ribs king, and first-place winner of a trophy and $500 was Leroy Myers of Antioch. In second place, Shawn Stanley of Bay Point, took home a trophy and $250, and last year's winner, Martinez resident Jeff Keller, took home third, a trophy and $150.

 

In Sunday's chicken, beef ribs and sausage challenge, the first-place winner was Gary Lion of Walnut Creek, followed by Martinez residents Robert Edwards in second place and Dan Scott in third place. Each received trophies and cash prizes.

First-time competitor Jack Simons entered the Saturday pork ribs challenge.

"I've been cooking for neighbors for about five or six years and they encouraged me to come," Simons said. "I enjoyed getting ready. I like glazes. Start with a good rub and end with a sweet glaze."

Simons perfected his technique with practice, and study of barbecue DVDs and watching barbecue shows on TV. Though not a finalist, he said he is likely to try again next year.

In fact, Lou Schoeneman, executive director of the Martinez Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event, said a number of challengers came into the chamber office on Monday to ask for critiques and suggestions for next year's competition.

Some of the entrants worked in teams, checking out the competition's equipment, analyzing rubs, timing, foil or no foil and fuel sources — like mesquite or almond, cherry or oak wood pellets or briquettes — that make a difference in the flavor.

Judging the entries Saturday were Robin Agostino, Karen Majors, Steven Shores, Marty Ochoa, Ed Oertel, Mike Solis, Rick Pierce and Barry Hoyer. And on Sunday, Ochoa was back again, with Ben Lobenstein, Craig Bower, Dave Chavez, Janet Kennedy and Aaron Todd.

Agostino said, "It was a lot of fun. The ribs are all good and it was hard to pick the best ones."

With the smell of barbecue in the air and the amateurs not allowed to sell their wares, the chamber invited professionals Bull Dog BBQ, Kinders Custom Meats and Back Forty Texas BBQ to provide a variety of mouth-watering grilled specialties for the crowd.

Pleasant Hill Wine Merchants, Viano Winery and beer vendors were at the event, along with every kind of cold drink vendor imaginable. And, given the hot weather, they were all busy.

Visitors listened to music, stopped by the KKDV 92.1 radio broadcast or perused Hot Rod Hoodlums cars on exhibit, and the U.S. Navy's three Corvettes, including a blue one identified with the Blue Angels.

Schoeneman said he received a very positive response to the increased quality of the bands, and said organizers might consider refining the Sunday barbecue categories to make them easier to judge.

The event committee will be meeting this week to evaluate and revise plans for next year; however Schoeneman said he was generally very pleased.

"We did not have a single disorderly event and I think the parking was OK," he said, noting the two shuttles busy transporting people from downtown and the parking areas to the event site.