DECATUR -- From start to finish, Saturday's 62nd annual Decatur Barbecue was counted among the best in several years, with thousands turning out for good food and outstanding entertainment in Veterans Park.
An estimated 2,000 visitors attended a wide variety of events throughout the day, braving temperatures hovering between the upper 80s to low 90s.
The day began at 7 a.m. at Edmiston Park with the 2-, 5-, and 10-K runs. Organizer Amy Brooks started the registration at 6:30 a.m. and by race time had 28 runners signed in. The conditions were ideal for the runners -- ranging from a runner, age 4, in the 2-K, to 81 in the 5-K race.
After the race, a few of the younger participates ran down the hill to take part in the second event of the day -- the kids' games which began near the upper part of Veterans Park at 8 a.m. Twenty children, from 4 to 12, participated in the sack race, three-legged race, bean-bag toss and other games. Sadly, the traditional Decatur Barbecue frog and turtle races were cancelled due to lack of entries (the animals were apparently in hiding).
A tradition returned to the Barbecue this year with the chicken again being cooked over the barbecue pit -- chicken was smoked the last two years. This year, the chicken flippers were back working their magic as the birds were placed between two wire racks suspended over an open pit. The job of the flippers was to keep the chickens from overcooking. They flipped each rack several times to ensuring a perfectly cooked chicken half. And by 9 p.m., the chicken was sold out.
Capping off the morning events was the Decatur Barbecue parade. Parade organizer Stacy Brooks began the lineup at 10:30 a.m. near the basketball courts at Decatur City Park. By 11:10 a.m. the parade was rolling down Main St. toward Veterans Park. This year's parade was lead by Vernon Austin, a longtime resident of Decatur and past president of Decatur State Bank. There were fire trucks, police cars, a horse-drawn carriage, vintage cars, and floats passing in review before a crowd of about 100 residents and visitors. By noon, traffic on Main St. was restored to normal and the only thing left of the parade was a few sweet treats on the ground in the street.
"There was much more participation in this parade then in years past," Brooks said. "I was very pleased with the turnout we had."
Throughout the afternoon, attendees were able to visit the booths of vendors and organizations that were assembled along the newly-paved Pat Drive. Children had the chance enjoy inflatable rides, including a water slide which was on hand near the playground at Veterans Park.
At 5 p.m. Ger Vang performed his magic as he played the National Anthem on the saxophone. He was followed by the presentation of the grand marshal plaque to Vernon Austin by Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp and Chamber president Margo Barnes.
Of course, no Decatur Barbecue would be complete without the Miss Decatur Barbecue contest. Since the first event in 1953, many young women have graced the stages at City and Veterans Parks. Many have gone on to successful business careers; others went into the teaching profession. No matter the direction their life choices took them, all received encouragement and memories through their entries in the Miss Decatur Barbecue contest.
Ten young women vied for the chance to become Miss Decatur Barbecue. In the end only one earned the title: Micayla Hendricks from Gravette. First runner up was Natalie Ackers from Rogers, and the second runner up was Holyn Fredricks from Gentry.
In the Tiny Tots contest, Emma Bowen was crowned Miss Decatur Tiny Tots. With a tie for the Mister Decatur Tiny Tots title, the honors went to Owen Merworth and Morgan Hopkins.
Then it was country music time as this years opening act took to the stage at Veterans Park. Johnny Dale Roberts, who is no stranger to this area, performed solo before a crowd of about 1,500. His mix of country classics and popular music held the crowd spellbound for the hour and 15 minute performance.
Then it was time for the featured performer of the evening. Jesse Keith Whitley, son of Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan, took center stage. From the moment he began, the crowd was on its feet. Whitley performed a wide variety of songs from some of his favorite country singers, including Sammy Kershaw, who was one of the early performers at the Decatur Barbecue. When Whitley sang his father's hit single, "Don't Close Your Eyes," the crowd went silent. It was a piece of irony that only an hour prior to his performance and almost at the same time as the song went Gold in 1988, Whitley stood on the stage at City Park where his elder Whitley sang his hit song before a crowd of 14,000 and his mother performed a year later before a crowd of 10,000. It was a very emotional moment for the younger Whitley, who set the theme of this years event, "A Family Affair."
The day ended with a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display sponsored by the city of Decatur, with assistance from the Decatur Fire Department.
Though the 62nd Annual Decatur Barbecue is now history, this -- like the original in 1953 -- will live on in the hearts and minds of Decatur residents and area visitors who lived the Decatur Barbecue experience on Saturday.
To Margo Barnes and the many Decatur Chamber of Commerce members and volunteers who worked countless hours on this year's event, thank you!
General News on 08/05/2015