Italy Lions Club teams up with the Lone Star BBQ Society

Cindy Sutherland Posted March 3, 2009 8:00pm Italy Lions Club

Image: Mike Blackburn — Mike Blackburn showing us his delicious brisket that earned him first place in the Brisket category. Mike is from Crandall, Texas. — Mike Blackburn — Mike Blackburn showing us his delicious brisket that earned him first place in the Brisket category. Mike is from Crandall, Texas. (Cindy Sutherland)

Italy Lions Club joined up with the Lone Star BBQ Society and put on a great BBQ Cook-Off at the Upchurch baseball fields Saturday in Italy. The event began on Saturday but Friday morning is when the real fun began.

All over the parking lot were RV’s galore with barbeque grills set up sending delicious aromas all over the baseball fields and surrounding areas. Members of the Lone Star BBQ Society began arriving Friday about 9:00 a.m. They all had grills and were ready to “let the competition begin!”

Arval Gowin, president of the Italy Lions Club said, “The Lone Star BBQ Society members have been absolutely wonderful to work with. They have helped us every step of the way. We were hoping for fifteen cookers since this was our first event but we ended up with thirty six cookers which was just phenomenal. Lonestar BBQ Society provided all the cookers and bent over backwards to help us in every way.”

Some of the members of the Lone Star BBQ Society came all the way from Alvord and Waco, and some came from as far away as Lousiana. “They have just come from all over. We are looking forward to partnering up with Lone Star BBQ Society members again next year. We have had such a good turn out,” said Gowin.

One of the categories was “Local Bragging Rights.” This was just for Italy cookers only. Whoever wins the trophy will have his or hers name engraved on it and will have to bring it back next year to try and keep it. It will be the same trophy every year. The first place winner of this trophy was Danny Day, second place was Gary Wood and third place was James Hobbs.

The Italy Chapter of the Lions Club would like to thank their sponsors, Douthit Construction, Shelby Flowers Construction and Mark and Clover Stiles.

This is the Place — Italy Lions Club marked the spot with their sign to say you are at the right place. (Cindy Sutherland)

Judges — These judges were judging the final round of chicken. Glenda Bowling (at the very back of the table) said,“I am the head judge for the Lone Star BBQ Society and am running the cook off. I have been doing this for four years. We do these cook-offs to help raise money for charities.” (Cindy Sutherland)

Arval and his wife — Arval Gowin said, “We will be back next year. We had a great turn out and can’t wait to do it again.” (Cindy Sutherland)

RV’s Galore — The Upchurch baseball fields were covered with RV’s and grills. (Cindy Sutherland)

RV’s and Grills — This is where the cooking took place. (Cindy Sutherland)

More Cooking — Another cooker. (Cindy Sutherland)

Steamwork — Gary Wood (on the right) and Jason Escamilla monitor the grill overnight at Upchurch Field. Gary Wood won 2nd place in the “Local Bragging Rights.” category that was a contest just for Italy cookers only. (Submitted photo)

Lillie and Melissa — Savoring at the mouth for Texas BBQ are Lillie Perry and Melissa Souder. (Gary Wood)

Melissa and Misty — Melissa Souder and Misty Escamilla hang out at Gary Wood’s Grill the night before the judging. (Gary Wood)

We found it! — Bailey Walton, Justin Wood and Zain Byers have a nose for BBQ. The event even attracted BBQ eaters from out-of-state. (Gary Wood)

Enjoying the day — Enjoying the day with Gary Wood are his friends and family. (Gary Wood)

Gary’s crew — Local Griller Gary Wood had plenty of friends showing their support while he slowly smoked the BBQ. (Gary Wood)

Smoked out — It takes a long time to smoke a barbeque just right. For Bryce Deborde it took a very long time as he dreams of that first bite from Gary Wood’s barbeque grill. (Barry Byers)