DECATUR -- For those visitors and area residents who get a thrill out of competing for trophies, prizes and, most importantly, fame, the 68th Decatur Barbecue has several events throughout the day to fill those needs.
First up on the list are the 5K and Fun Runs that kick off the barbecue daylong events. Runners of all ages line up at the starting line on the southwest corner of the Veterans Park walking trail to get their morning jog in. People get out and run in all types of weather conditions from cool and sunny skies to driving thunderstorms which were evident nine years ago.
On the morning of Aug. 3, 2013, just as the 5K, 10K and Fun Run began, a severe thunderstorm hit the area, producing rain, wind and lots of lightning. Did anyone quit because of the weather? No! The group of runners, one of the biggest turnouts in event history, braved the elements to complete the course.
The weather does not force the cancellation of the run, but low numbers did cancel the event one year. But the fallout from that cancellation caused the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the barbecue, to rethink the future of the 5K run, and the next year it was back with yet another large turnout.
Walk-up registration will be available at 7 a.m. on Aug. 6 on the walking trail near the Edmiston Park concession stand. There will be three races this year: a one-half mile for kids ages 4-8, a one-mile run/walk (Fun Run), and the 5K. The cost for entering the half mile and one mile fun run is $20. Add an additional $5 for an event T-shirt. For more information, contact Chris Weller at [email protected] or 785-822-4129.
Another competition that also disappeared for a short while was the car show. This was canceled in large part due to the fact that the chamber was unable to find anyone to organize and put on the event. Like the 5K and Fun Runs, requests to reinstate the car show, coupled with several volunteers stepping up and taking on the project, brought it back to the Decatur Barbecue.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, vintage and modified vehicles of all types compete for a certificate in Best of Show and Best in Class, and so forth. The car show begins at Veterans Park at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Cody at 479-212-1509.
New to the Decatur Barbecue and now in its third year is the ever popular cornhole tournament. Teams of two players compete with other teams to see who can get six beanbags either in the hole or on the target board. The tournament is a double-elimination event, which means that the teams have two chances to advance to the championship round. By losing twice during the competition, a team is out of the tournament.
The cost for entering the cornhole tournament is $30 per two-person team. Half of the proceeds will go to the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, and half will be given out as prizes. Award amounts will be based on how many teams enter.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in the community room at Decatur City Hall. Contact Bobbi Barnes at 479-238-5618 for more information.
The one event that has been an important part of the barbecue is the parade. This year's event will start at the car wash on Third Street and end at Veterans Park. Grand marshals for this year's parade will be Decatur Mayor Bob and Joy Tharp.
In honor of the All-American City award which the city of Decatur won in 1954, the theme of this year's event, including the parade, is "Decatur, Best Little Town in Arkansas...Y'all!" Prizes will be awarded based on the closest use of the theme to the first- and second-place floats.
Representing Decatur in this event will be the Decatur Police and Fire Departments, City of Decatur employees, veterans groups, and many more.
The lineup for the parade begins at 1 p.m. in the car wash parking area on Third Street, with the parade getting underway at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Mike at 479-422-0208.
The 68th Decatur Barbecue kicks off at 7 a.m. with 5K and Fun Runs and continues throughout the day, concluding with the Blane Howard concert at 7 p.m. and a fireworks display following the concert.