Smokin’ on the Water serves up smokin’ barbecue and fun
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POLSON — The fragrance of cooking pork, chicken and beef was enough to draw a crowd of hungry visitors to the seventh annual Smokin’ on the Water barbecue contest on Aug. 1 on the north end of the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino.
A rock climbing wall jutted into the air alongside games for kids right on the shore of Flathead Lake on a sunny Saturday.
The event included a local beer tour.
The word must have gotten out, because the six teams of barbecue cooks who signed up had a constant flow of people all day — locals and tourists, according to Amber Pacheco-Holm, Polson Chamber of Commerce director.
Two teams had to drop out — one due a family death and one because someone stole their equipment, but the event went on.
Max Nash, Hog Boss Catering, has a grill/smoker that can cook two whole pigs.
Nash started his business about five years ago.
“My mom is a great cook,” Nash said, and he learned many things from her.
“First I rented a cooker,” Nash said, when he first started Hog Boss Catering because people were always asking him to cook for them.
Then he bought a rotisserie and he’s moved up to the bigger smoker. He’s such a fan of barbecue, he even raises his own pigs to barbecue. Nash also pulled down the award for people’s choice grand champion.
“Smokin’ on the Water was a smaller event than last year, but it was a success, and we are very happy with the turnout,” said Pacheco-Holm.
2015 Smokin’ on the Water winners were:
Sauce — 1st Payne West HOG; 2nd PorkNStein
Chicken —1st Payne West HOG; 2nd Hog Boss
Pork —1st Hog Boss; 2nd Payne West HOG
Beef — 1st Hog Boss; 2nd PorkNStein
Open — 1st Hog Boss; 2nd PorkNStein
People’s Choice Grand Champion — Hog Boss
Hot dog eating contest – Andrew Bigcrane, second consecutive win
Payne West Pit Boss — Rob Turner
Hog Boss Pit Boss — Max Nash
PorkNStein Pit Boss — Jeremy Holm
Mission Valley Ice Arena Pit Boss Dave McDaniel
