Krystal 93 BBQ at the Summit

Follow the scents of hickory and charcoal to downtown Dillon today and Saturday for the Krystal 93 BBQ at the Summit — the world’s highest Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned barbecue contest. The block party, held by the Rotary Club of Summit County in Dillon since 2005, includes good eats, frothy concoctions and live entertainment.

Almost 70 teams are competing — including some from as far away as Mississippi and California — with 40 of those signed up to dole out their savory goodies, said Betty Naftz, past Rotary president and co-chair of the annual event. Non-barbecue vendors will be present as well, selling items like ice cream, cupcakes, funnel cakes, smoothies and doughnuts. least 40 of the teams have competed in Dillon before.

Teams compete in four main categories for grand champion: Chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. Other divisions include sauce, salsa, dessert, side dish, potato salad and Kid’s Q. Naftz said over $16,000 in prizes will be awarded.

Back for a second year, the Rancher’s Reserve Beef Cup, the KCBS’s first beef points chase and prize purse, is being treated as an additional category to the main four. Participants are charged with preparing a cut of Rancher’s Reserve beef in a new and exciting way. Up for grabs is a piece of the $27,400 prize purse and major bragging rights. The cup is only being featured at nine events across the country this year.

Representatives from the KCBS will be there handing out samples and sharing barbecue tips and techniques. Using a blind judging process, the society sanctions approximately 350 barbecue competitions throughout the nation each year.

* Tickets for food, drinks, kid’s play area and other items are called BBQ Bucks and sold in $1 increments. Ticket booths are located throughout the venue and accept cash. Cash is not accepted at individual vendor booths.