Bourbon BBQ Event A Success

The fourth annual Bourbon BBQ event attracted several hundred spectators on Saturday at Festival Park.

Chuck Ray, president of the Bourbon Economic Development Group, considered it a success.

“It was definitely a success for the community and surrounding area,” Ray said.

Event attendees beat the heat index — which flirted with triple digits — to watch five contestants smoke pork steaks, chicken and ribs.

Contestants came from Sullivan, St. Louis, Gerald/Owensville and O’Fallon, Mo.

Several vendors set up tents and offered a variety of snacks and gift items.

Saturday’s event was a welcome return after BED was forced to cancel last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancellation also cost BED much-needed funds in their ongoing mission to support Bourbon.

Brenton Sterling band provided live music and the Bourbon Youth Athletic Association sold pork steak dinners.

Ray said they doubled the amount sold in 2019.

“Many thanks to all our volunteers from the BED Group to put in many hours to make the annual event a big success,” Ray said. “Being able to come out as a community brought a smile to everyone’s faces.”