As the anticipation grew, so did the tummy growls…

First, all I had with me was my cellphone, so these are definitely not my best photos…and for that I apologize.  Now back to the story at hand…

Here in the Reno & Sparks area the Labor Day weekend means one thing: R-I-B-S

And not just any run of the mill ribs, oh no, we’re talking about a flat out smoker showdown. This weekend, 24 competitors lined the Victorian Square to take part in an invitation only battle for the best ribs. John Ascuaga’s Nugget hosts this premier rib competition every year…and for rib, BBQ, brisket and pulled pork lovers it’s an event not to be missed.  Seriously…DON’T MISS IT!

My little kiddles had only one thing on their minds though…snow cones.  As soon as we got out of the car, “SNOW CONES!”  Which meant that we had to be on the look-out for one of the shaved ice stands…and we knew that there was one most likely right by my favorite stop. (Awesome Aussies)  And I new that snow cones meant that there was going to be funky colored tongues and teeth…it’s the teeth that wig me out.  But there’s no way that I was going to say no to a little flavored shaved ice for them…they had been waiting for this all week long.

There was one pitfall for the kiddles though, we had to make our way through all of the craft tents first.  Our little Rose had just woken up when we got to the venue and her little tummy was growling.  Not just a little rumble, but a full fledged thunderstorm was going off inside her.

“Pork!  My tummy is hungry!  Pork!”  She no desire to elaborate.  Nope, she was talking in “Max” format. (if you’ve ever watched Max & Ruby with your little kiddle, then you know exactly what I mean)  And this string of words popped up every 8 or 9 steps.

Let’s just say that I was one speed walking, kiddle toting Momma.  We were on a mission…one that would end with my little Rose’s tummy being happy.  (as well as my own)

Of all of the competitors I have my personal favorite, of course, but not in the rib category. Nope, I am on the fence over the best ribs every year. Now for pulled pork though, that’s another story.  The fellas over at Awesome Aussie’s gets my vote every year.  Their pulled pork and sauce is outstanding!  In fact, this year that pulled pork actually fell apart in my mouth.  Never, NEVER before have I had pulled pork just disintegrate in my mouth.  We’re talking fillet minon texture and tenderness.  Ahhhh…I was in pulled pork heaven…so was my littel Rose.

Grace had nothing on her mind beside the snow cones…and kettle corn.  The only BBQ type thing that she would try was the bread from the pulled pork sandwich.  So she ate the bread, Rose & I ate the pork and Charming hit the ribs.  I got a little nibble of the Awesome Aussie & Butch’s ribs…and both were ridiculously good.  It was a toss-up as far as we were concerned.  Rose is my little carnivore…she wasn’t about to be left out of the rib tasting…

Then with our tummies happy and full, we headed back through all of the craft vendors.  There were about 3 times the boothes that were there in the past 2 years.  This year the craft tents were about as much of a draw as the cookoff competitors.  It was amazing…tents everywhere!  Now I love the look of Tiffany lamps, but they really aren’t my style, and yet I couldn’t help but stand in awe as I looked at this display.

And there were some of the most adorable things for little girls.  What can I say?  As a Momma to two darling girls, I’m automatically drawn to the frilly girly things.  (although I decided that I could make most of what they were drawn to)

All in all it was a really fun evening at the Rib Cookoff…and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year.  (and the year after that, and the year after that)