Ozark Ham and Turkey Barbecue a success

First place plaque and $125 in prize money went to Brad Sites, left, and Steve Stone, right, at the 2014 Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival Barbecue contest. Dave Walters with the California Eagles 4027 presented the award.

The annual barbecue pork steak cook off with amateurs and professionals, began at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, downtown in the Commerce Bank parking lot.

Pork steaks were required to be on the judges' table by 4 p.m.

The meat was judged by thoroughness of cooking, appearance, taste and tenderness.

Contestants gave away bite-sized samples to festival attendees before judging.

First place was a plaque and $175 sponsored by Higgins Asphalt and was awarded to Brad Sites and Steve Stone.

Second place was a plaque and $105 sponsored by Embry and Pettigrew Auction Company and was awarded to Trent Backues.

MARC F. HENNING

Arkansas tailback Dennis Johnson is tackled by LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson at the end of a big gain on the opening drive of the Razorbacks’ game Saturday in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

Third place was a plaque and $75 sponsored by Tony Cliburn, Excavating and was awarded to Mark Koechner.

J.S. WEDGEWORTH

Beverley Garside, left, of the Rogers Historical Museum gives a tour of “A World War I Christmas” in the Hawkins House on Sunday, during the museum’s annual holiday open house. The house was decorated as a home would have been during the war, with handmade ornaments and other patriotic items.

And Fourth place was a plaque sponsored by Commerce Bank and was awarded to Pam Brauner, Donna Schepers and Ed Schepers.

Photo by Andy Shupe

Patrick Pilkington, left, of Fayetteville, helps family friend Aaron Callahan, 11, center, and Pilkington’s son, Jordan, 11, with the construction of an Advent wreath Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Church members gathered to make the traditional wreaths which mark the beginning of the Advent season.

Twenty-one contestants payed $18 to enter the barbecue contest hosted by Century Link and the California Eagles 4027.

The barbecue stage had the Bourbon Creek country band playing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They entertained the crowd barbecuing and playing washers on Third Street.