Decatur Barbecue to be moved to Saturday

— For the first time ever, the Decatur Barbecue will be held on a Saturday.

Chamber of Commerce members voted, at Monday’s meeting, to hold the 58th Annual Decatur Barbecue Festival on Saturday, Aug. 6. The festival is being moved to Saturday in the hope of having more help available and a larger crowd.

“What’s it going to hurt to try one year?” said David Flynt.

Last August the Decatur Barbecue and Bulldog Days was held back to back on a Friday and Saturday and called the 57th Annual Decatur Barbecue Festival. The Chamber of Commerce presided over Friday’s events and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department was responsible for Saturday’s events.

The Chamber of Commerce declared the festival a success, financially and otherwise. Final reports show the Chamber made a $3,600 profit from the event. There was also a record turnout for the fun-run, poker run and car show on Saturday.

Chamber of Commerce members first suggested combining the two events on a Saturday at last month’s meeting and Parks and Recreation Committee members said they were open to the idea, though committee chairman Trip Lapham was not present at Monday’s meeting to take part in the discussion.

While there will be some scheduling challenges, such as conflicts between the parade and poker run, chamber members said they felt there were more positives than negatives.

“I think it’s a do-able situation,” said Chamber of Commerce president Royce Johnson.

The Chamber discussed holding the parade earlier in the day, at 10 a.m. or noon, so that beauty contestants would have time to ride in the parade before their interviews and to avoid the hottest part of the day.Children’s games could be held directly after the parade, Kim Wilkins suggested.

“It’s a lot to cram into one day, but it could be worked out,” Flynt said.

In other business, the Chamber of Commerce elected officers for the coming year. Royce Johnson will continue to serve as president, David Flynt will serve as vice-president, Donna Jennings will serve as secretary and Amy Brooks will serve as treasurer.

News, Pages 1 on 10/13/2010