The combined efforts of Hope Tourism and City of Hope Parks, Recreation, and Tourism resulted in success throughout the entirety of Hope Train Day today. Vendors, games, food, music, and much more covered several blocks of downtown Hope with droves of people in attendance. One of the most anticipated events of the day was the BBQ Rib Cook-off.
The first to arrive and the last to leave, competitors began setting up at 6am to begin the process of cooking those tasty ribs. With twelve teams total lined up and down Main Street cooking throughout the day, the smell of scrumptious barbecue in the air was a temptation to everyone in attendance. Some of the contest entries traveled from afar to participate in the contest like Ellis and Winston Marshall of Brother's BBQ from Memphis. Competitors from Fordyce, El Dorado, Stamps, and more were also in attendance, as well as a few of Hope's very own barbecue chefs and masters.
After the entries had been judged close to the end of the day, the winners of the Hope Train Day BBQ Rib Cook-off 2022 were announced on the main stage in front of the Train Depot. The placements are as follows:
1st place - Allen Newton from Fordyce
2nd place - Charles Lester with Oak-Lan from Hope
3rd place - Matt Dickerson of Old South Smokehouse & Grill from Gurdon
As the day wound to a close and participants began packing up their grills and gear, many expressed the same sentiment as did the patrons and vendors of of today's event: Hope Train Day was an amazing day! This is an event of which Hope Tourism, City of Hope, and all the staff and workers of the day can be extremely proud!
Allen Newton, first place in Hope Train Day BBQ Rib Cook-off 2022
Charles Lester of Oak-Lan, second place in Hope Train Day BBQ Rib Cook-off 2022
Matt Dickerson of Old South Smokehouse & Grill, third place in Hope Train Day BBQ Rib Cook-off 2022
Brother's BBQ from Memphis
