By Cindi Hamar
For The New Era
The “Santiam Smokeshow” barbecue cookoff competition, which touted itself as the “hottest BBQ competition on the West Coast,” drew an estimated 1,000-plus attendees to the Old Mill Property at the corner of 18th Avenue and Tamarack Street May 30-31.
According to organizer Peggy West, 30 teams totaling 130 competitors competed in the barbecue competition, which was a qualifier for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue will be held in Lynchburg, Tenn., Oct. 13-14, 2025
Thirty-five judges selected the daily winners, West said. A prize purse of $50,000 was distributed among the winners.
On Saturday night, the Oregon Jamboree presented $10,000 of fireworks in a show at dusk next to the water tower on the Old Mill site.
The event included vendors selling barbecue samples, and sauces and rubs, as well as wine, beer, jerky, donuts and cotton candy.
At Cascade Smoke Co. of Lebanon, $5 got the customer both potato salad and coleslaw, along with a sample each of brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken.
At Bad Bones BBQ attendees could purchase and select between 7 different BBQ sauces and 13 types of rubs.
At Chef Bo’s attendees could purchase 10 types of jerky in flavors such as Cranberry Jalapeno or Smoky Sriracha, and have a strawberry lemonade to drink. There were ample vendors with wine, beer, jerky, donuts and cotton candy as well. It was a foodie’s dream come true.
Additional vendors included the Oregon Coast Axe throwing, Fine Lines Tattoo (a big hit), Sweet Home Cheer,Lake Hill Lavender Farm and Ace Hardware, which was the presenting sponsor.
The Oregon Jamboree roasted six pigs and three alligators, serving up the meat to participants.
There was also a VIP ticket you could upgrade to for $53.and you could sample each competitor’s BBQ cuisine with no additional cost.
“It’s bringing people to Sweet Home with great food and great people, much like the three free Tuesday concerts leading up to the Oregon Jamboree, which will be here at the same location,” said Robert Shamek, festival director for the Oregon Jamboree.
The Tune It Up Tuesdays events will run weekly from 6 to 9 p.m. through June at the Old Mill Property, with country music and rallies featuring different types of vehicles each night. Admission is free. For more information, visit oregonjamboree.com/tuesday.