Rockn Ribs - Springfield, MO April 14-15
SMT completed in The Rotary Clubs of Springfield, Missouri 12th Annual Rock’n Ribs Barbeque Festival April 15-16. This year was the Million Dollar Year. This past year, the 11th Annual Rock’n Ribs BBQ Festival raised $160,000 for agencies that serve “Children of the Ozarks”, including Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and numerous others. The funding was used to provide specific programs and services to disadvantaged and at-risk children
The location is different that any other BBQ festival - Bass Pro Shops World Headquarters. This allows more access to the public from around the nation. The interaction with the public is something we truly enjoy each year.
The festival this year had some very special guests. The World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales Horses were in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot. This was such a treat to be able to see these beautiful, massive horses, the Dalmatian, the 
Budweiser cars, semis, and the team hooked up to the Budweiser Wagon. This was quite a production and this brought out the crowds. On Saturday, the Budweiser Clydesdales delivered beer to a few of the stores around Bass Pro Shop as a promotional event. Every free moment that Tammye could get away, we knew where to find her, with the Clydesdales horses. If she could have figured out how to get “Prince” in the SUV to take home, she would have. The usual motorcycle show, kids’ events, bands on Friday / Saturday.
The weather this year did not disappoint. The usual rain and cold temperatures had to make an appearance on Thursday, Friday and half of Saturday. The wind this year, up to 40 mph, made things more difficult. On Saturday afternoon, the clouds finally disappeared and the sun came out. With the sun, the crowds also returned.
Extra categories this year included: Margaritas, Dessert, Anything Butt Meat, Bloody Marys. This year, T
ammye’s dessert did not disappoint again, 4th Place. This is the 2nd year in a row with a top 5 finish in this category. Blood Mary’s was also 4th. Nun’s presentation to the judges is always spot on. Special thanks to Nun and Tracy who helped on the final touches on the dessert. This gave Tammye extra time to finish the other turn-ins.
Saturday: The wind was something we had to deal with. Events for today included Blood Marys. SMT was hopeful that we would receive a few calls. Results: Pork 5th, Brisket 7th, Ribs 12th, and Chicken 26th. Once brisket was turned in, it was time to get ready for the crowds.
Each year, Rock’n Ribs gives each team approximately 150 lbs of meat to serve to the public on Saturday afternoon. This year, SMT received 10 pork butts and 3 briskets. Due to the large amount of meat this year, SMT decided to start cooking on Friday afternoon for people’s choice. The public was able to pay $10 to get in the door and sample some great bbq from all the teams. Gary and Tracy were handing out the little cups of pork/brisket to the long line of people. The line wraps around the entire area of the festival. We handled out approximately 1,500 samples in a 2 hour period.
See you next year!