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Gladstone staff outlines SmokeFest barbecue competition, parade and family events for Gladfest
Summary
A city staff member described the SmokeFest barbecue competitions, a returning parade and new family activities for Gladfest, including KCBS-sanctioned ribs competition, a kids' art contest and live music; registration is live and proceeds will support parks.
Nikki, a staff member, told attendees on July 14 that Gladstone’s SmokeFest barbecue competition and a returning parade are open for registration and will be part of this year’s Gladfest lineup. "Registration is already live. So if anyone's listening and wants to participate, you can visit discovergladstone.com for more information," she said.
The ribs competition will be the main, Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)–sanctioned event, with ancillary contests for rib eye steak and baked beans, Nikki said. She said organizers are putting significant prize money behind the event and "we'll actually have over 2,000 prizes," adding that ribs places one through seven will receive awards while the other two categories will pay first through third. Organizers will provide utilities, including electricity, to competitors.
Organizers plan a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday after a roughly four-year hiatus; parade entries must register by Sept. 10 at 4 p.m., Nikki said. She said the event team has already signed five barbecue teams and is "shooting for 25." The festival will also include live music acts such as JAM (a Michael Jackson/Bruno Mars tribute), School of Rock and Midnight Bridal, and a new kids' art contest aimed at older children, with the grand-prize winner to ride in the parade and artwork displayed at the community center.
Nikki said the barbecue will be listed on KCBS’s site and that proceeds from registration will support parks, including Linden Square. On the question of how to become a competition judge, she said, "since it's actually sanctioned by KCBS, they have to be certified through them." She noted the role Austin could clarify certification details.
The presentation came during premeeting communications to the council; event organizers said they plan to promote the competitions and parade through the city website, the chamber of commerce and social-media advertising.
Organizers provided a web page with rules, entry fees and sign-up links and said they are exploring targeted social ads to draw attendees and competitors. No formal council vote or funding action on SmokeFest was taken during the July 14 meeting.
