Meek returns to crown Miss Decatur Barbecue

DECATUR — When Desi Meek was crowned the 65th Miss Decatur Barbecue Aug. 4, 2018, she was to be the final Northwest Arkansas girl to wear the crown; the end of an era that began in 1953. But things change, new ideas spring into play and now Meek will pass her crown on to a new Miss Decatur Barbecue on Saturday.

After a month-long debate shortly after the August 2018 event, the Decatur Chamber of Commerce decided that it would be worth making one more go at the contest.

In her reign as Miss Decatur Barbecue, Meek represented not only the Decatur Chamber but also Decatur High School, her community and Benton County with distinction just as the 64 winners before her.

The day after winning her crown, Meek was off to the Miss Benton County Fair competition. The crown went to MaKenzie Shirley from Pea Ridge. Meek turned around three days later and was showing her market hog that she raised while a member of the Decatur Future Farmers of America chapter.

Meek led the Decatur High School volleyball team to its first state tournament. Three months later, she led the Lady Bulldogs basketball team in its first state playoffs since 1998. In May, Meek led the Lady Bulldog track team to a third-place finish in the 2A state meet, earning three state titles, 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles and as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. She also placed fifth in the heptathlon and earned a full scholarship at John Brown University, where she will help rebuild the school’s track program.

This year, as was the case in 2018, the Miss Decatur Barbecue contest is open to girls, 15-18, who attend either Decatur, Gentry or Gravette High School.

Barbecue goers will get their first chance to see the contestants during the Barbecue Parade through downtown Decatur which begins at 1:30 p.m.

The contest will be held on the stage for the evening wear competition at 5 p.m., with the crowning ceremony to follow.

Who will be crowned the 66th Miss Decatur Barbecue? Come by Veterans Park to find out the answer to this question.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Desi Meek (right) received her Miss Decatur Barbecue crown from Hallee Williamson during the 65th Annual Decatur Barbecue on Aug. 4, 2018. Meek will return Saturday to crown her successor during the 66th Annual Decatur Barbecue at Veterans Park in Decatur.