54°F
weather icon Clear
Boulder City, NV
Community

Barbecue Challenge returns

File James “The Flame” Perez of Big Poppa Smokers of Coachella, California, was presented with the Grand Championship trophy by the Rev. Sandy Johnson, incoming president of the Rotary Club of Boulder City, and Dr. George Rosenbaum, the club’s longest-serving member, at the conclusion of the 13th annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge in 2017. This year’s event will be held Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, at Bicentennial Park, 999 Colorado St.
Rotary Club of Boulder City
More Stories
bcr default image
Rating reflects teachers’ commitment and determination of students
Ron Eland/Boulder City Review
Everything from A to Z available at Country Store
bcr default image
Homecoming: Small town tradition
bcr default image
Student achievement main focus at Mitchell
By Celia Shortt Goodyear Boulder City Review
May 23, 2018 - 5:14 pm
 

The smell of barbecue will be in the air in Boulder City this weekend as the 14th annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge takes place.

The event goes from 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 25, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 26, in Bicentennial Park.

It is put on by the Rotary Club of Boulder City and will feature 35 professional and amateur barbecue teams that will compete in the categories of ribs, pork, brisket, chicken and total overall score, seeking their share of $12,000 in cash prizes and the right to be named the state champion.

The challenge is free to attend, and there will be live music, a family fun zone and car show as well as food and drinks for sale in Christy’s Marketplace.

“It’s just a nice time, afternoon or evening or whenever they decide to come,” said chairman and Rotary Club member Larry Archuleta. “Boulder City is a nice place to come hang out.”

The winning barbecue team also will qualify for the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, as well as the American Royal World Series of Barbecue.

In addition to the competition for adults, the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge has a children’s competition, KidsQue, for ages 6 to 17.

Divided into two age groups, youths are given chicken, grills and utensils. From there they bring their own creativity and are welcome to add any sauces, spices or rubs to their entry. There will be an instructor to help, if needed.

“They don’t have to know how to cook. … They just have to be brave enough to try it,” Archuleta said.

The cost to enter is $20 per child, and the top three finishers in each age group will win cash prizes of $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.

Always a highlight of the event is the rib-eating contest pitting members of the Boulder City Police Department against Boulder City firefighters. It will begin at 1 p.m.

The Barbecue Challenge is the Rotary Club of Boulder City’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and Archuleta said the club aims to raise as much money as possible from it.

“This funds our projects for the whole year,” he said. “There is not a set goal”

Archuleta added that 85 percent of the money raised at the event stays in Boulder City, 10 percent goes to Las Vegas, and 5 percent is used internationally.

Additional information is available by visiting https://www.bestdambarbecue.com.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
bcr default image
Rating reflects teachers’ commitment and determination of students
By Melanie Teemant Principal, Garrett Junior High

There’s no better way to begin this school year than by celebrating a truly incredible accomplishment of Garrett Junior High School officially earning a 5-Star school rating. This distinction represents the highest level of achievement under Nevada’s School Performance Framework and recognizes not only strong academic performance, but also growth, teamwork, and a positive school culture.

Ron Eland/Boulder City Review
Everything from A to Z available at Country Store
By Ron Eland Boulder City Review

Whether you call it a garage sale, yard sale or tag sale, Grace Community Church’s Country Store is one of the largest of its kind in the area.

bcr default image
Homecoming: Small town tradition
By Amy Wagner Principal, Boulder City High School

There’s something special about Homecoming in Boulder City.

bcr default image
Student achievement main focus at Mitchell
By Tracy Echeverria Principal, Mitchell Elementary

Mitchell Elementary has enjoyed a great beginning to our school year as our staff continues to serve our students and families as their children learn and grow their leadership skills.

bcr default image
What is a PSA test and why you need one
Community Heartbeat By Boulder City Hospital

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate gland, which is found in small amounts in the blood. The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a blood test used to screen for prostate health and to help detect prostate cancer.

Ron Eland/Boulder City Review file photo Rotarians Roger Hall and Doug Scheppmann help cook up ...
Wurst Fest kicks off fall event season
By Ron Eland Boulder City Review

For nearly three decades it kicks off a very busy event season in Boulder City; one that goes up into the holidays.

Chugging Along

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review

bcr default image
Class In Session: Bobcats hit the ground running
By Melani Teemant Principal, Garrett Junior High

The 2025-2026 school year is off to an exciting start at Garrett Junior High School. From impressive academic growth to new STEAM classes, our Bobcats are showing what it means to learn, lead, and succeed.

bcr default image
BCHS going strong at 85
By Amy Wagner Principal, BCHS

The 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start at Boulder City High School.

bcr default image
Falls at home place seniors at significant risk
By Norma Vally

We may crack up watching slip and fall accidents on TikTok or “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, but in real life, especially for seniors, it’s no laughing matter.