Young pit masters take to grill

Kids get into groove of Bikes, Blues & BBQ at competition.

FAYETTEVILLE — The unmistakable smoky aroma of barbecue filled the Washington County Fair Ground air early Saturday morning as pit masters readied their best meats for the annual state championship, but this year, a few younger participants had their turn on the grills.

Michelle Higgens with Ozark BBQ Alliance coordinated the first Kids Q cookoff at Bikes, Blues & BBQ.

Kids Q events happen around the county and children can rack up points for a chance to win in one of two age groups: Mini Pit Master for ages 10 and younger and Junior Pit Master for ages 11-15.

Nine-year-old Cooper Wilson of Fayetteville explained how he seasoned and grilled his meat but made sure no one knew what was in the special barbecue sauce he used.

“Just like magicians, we can’t give away the secret,” Wilson said.

The Kids Q judges give points based on appearance, taste and tenderness. It’s a great way for them to take pride in something they made and can present themselves, Higgins said, and they get a trophy at the end.

“These children are the future of cooking,” she said.

Two brothers from Carthage, Mo., are leading the way nationally in the Kids Q competition. 13-year-old Brett and 11-year-old Cole Backerman have been participating in BBQ completions since age 5 and 4 respectively.

Their parents, Nicole and Brad Backerman, run Caveman Cuisine. Brett and Cole saw their parents cooking and wanted to join in the fun, they said.

“So they taught and we got good,” said Brett, who started competing at age 5. “I like being around fire and cooking stuff. It’s just what I’ve always done

Cole said his favorite part is getting to eat it after they’re finished cooking.

For the Backermans and many others this weekend’s championship, going to barbecue competitions are a big family outing.

“The barbecue community is more like one big family. Every time you go out, you’re with family,” Nicole Backerman said.

Seven-year-old Ellie Leighninger was the youngest Kids Q contender. She also comes from a family of chefs and was at the fair grounds with her dad, Brad Leighninger, who is head pitmaster for Gettin’ Basted out of Branson, Mo.

Gettin’ Basted was the overall reserve champion and and won first in the pork competition as last year’s Arkansas BBQ Championship.

“I’ve got three kids, and that’s what we do during the summer — we drive around and compete. They’ve been helping out pretty much their whole lives,” Brad Leighninger said. “It’s fantastic to get the kids involved, and I’m glad to see Bikes, Blues doing that.”

More information about Kids Q events can be found at www.ozarksbbqalliance.com.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Brett Backerman, 13, (left) and his brother, Cole Backerman, 11, turn their boneless pork tenderloins on their grills Saturday during a Kids Q, a barbecue competition for children, as a part of the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Cole brushes sauce onto a boneless pork tenderloin on his grill Saturday during Kids Q.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Jim Rush from Fort Smith takes a break Saturday while sitting on his motorcycle on Dickson Street during the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Attendees are reflected in the window of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air lookig at cars during a Bikes, Blues & BBQ car show Saturday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. The show awarded trophies in 28 categories including best of show, engine, paint, upholstery, undercarriage, longest distance and director’s choice.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Jerry Crane of Sapulpa Okla., details the engine of his 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 during a Bikes, Blues & BBQ car show Saturday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Crane won the Mustang class last year and has been entering his car the last eight years. He said he travelled all across the country showing it. The show awarded trophies in 28 categories including best of show, engine, paint, upholstery, undercarriage, longest distance and director’s choice.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Colby Myers, 2, (center) and his twin brother Emmett, wave at motorcycles Saturday while spending the day with their mother, Audra Myers (right) and friend Kim White, both of Rogers, during the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE A motorcyclist rides with his dog Saturday east on Dickson Street during the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville.