namesake barbecue competition is returning by popular demand to its birthplace, Regional Park in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Underwritten in part by Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission, the naming sponsor, Sissy’s Log Cabin, and presenting sponsor, Saracen Casino Resort, will welcome professional barbecue cook teams from across the U.S. and other nations as far away as Australia to Regional Park on September 20. That evening will mark the start of fierce competitive barbecue smoking among the cook teams, some guided by celebrity pitmasters with worldwide fan bases, as well as up-and-comers hoping to beat the best.
As with all Smoke on the Water competitions, the event is sanctioned by Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), premier sanctioning body for North American barbecue competition. This ensures that all entries will be impartially and professionally judged by KCBS-certified judges from across the U.S. KCBS-sanctioning also enables teams to be eligible for the draw to compete in the Jack Daniel’s World Championship, granddaddy of barbecue championships.
The Pine Bluff event will also enable teams to earn points toward “KCBS Team of the Year.”
Commenting on the competition announcement, Saracen Casino Resort’s Chief Market Officer
Carlton Saffa said, “Saracen Casino has developed a solid reputation in both gaming and in food, as well as an exciting and fun destination for the region. We’re proud to support Sissy’s Log Cabin Smoke on the Water Championship Barbecue Competition. And because we’re known for high stakes, Saracen is again guaranteeing the largest prize purse in Arkansas history: $50,000 cash!”
Cook teams will compete for cash prizes paid out to 15 places in each of four categories: brisket, chicken, pork butt and ribs. Additional cash awards will be handed out to 5 overall winners. The Grand Champion will receive, in addition to $15,000 cash, a large championship ring rivaling those awarded to major football bowl champions, featuring genuine gemstones mounted in a heavy setting of 10-karat solid gold. Said Bill Jones, CEO of Sissy’s Log Cabin, “For almost a decade, we looked forward to the homecoming of Smoke on the Water. To celebrate Smoke’s third year at home, our master jewelers are releasing another ring. It is a coveted piece, exclusive to Smoke on the Water.”
Members of the general public who attend the event will have the opportunity to participate in the fun with The People’s Choice Award. Participants will sample championship-level barbecue and cast votes for their favorites. The professional team that garners the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award and a $500 cash prize.
Even non-professional grillers will have a chance to compete and be recognized for their grilling
prowess in the amateur contest, dubbed “Ribba-Ramma” with a $500 purse paid out to three places. Festival attendees will get to “play judge” by sampling amateurs’ barbecued ribs and voting for the samples they like best. The Ribba-Ramma winner will receive a $300 cash prize and be recognized during the award ceremony on the main stage at 5:00PM. Proceeds from the People’s Choice and Ribba-Ramma contests will benefit the park refurbishment project in Pine Bluff’s Ward 3.
But there’s more to a Smoke on the Water barbecue competition than just fire and smoke. The
general public is invited to join the fun on Saturday, September 21. Gates will open at noon with
free admission, allowing everyone to enjoy a kids’ fun zone, craft vendors, food trucks, grilling
demonstrations by the pros and refreshments provided by Budweiser. Additionally, representatives from JRMC will be on-site to provide free screenings for prostate cancer and the Pine Bluff Animal Shelter will host a pet adoption event for prospective pet parents to choose furry new members of their families.
Highlighting the event will be live music presented on the Main Stage throughout the afternoon by White Hall’s own Addyson Kennedy Band. Following them will be the Grass Roots band, Jon Bailey & The Heathen Revival. Capping off the evening will be the headliner, Tina Cossey Band, recently returned from taking Beale Street by storm at the annual International Blues Challenge.
Smoke on the Water may have been missing from Pine Bluff from 2014 to 2022, but the event
production company’s president, Ron Cates, wasn’t idle during that time. He conducted barbecue competitions at dozens of venues from coast to coast in the United States, awarding more than $4.5 million in cash and prizes to professional and amateur teams.
Asked about his decision to return to Pine Bluff, Cates said, “When we started with our first event up at Regional Park, we were pretty green. Our first purse was only $5 thousand, but cook teams still came and everyone had a good time. Over the years, we’ve learned what’s required to put on the world’s best professional barbecue competitions. I look forward to seeing all my friends at Pine Bluff’s biggest barbecue party.”
ABOUT SMOKE ON THE WATER PRODUCTIONS
From a humble beginning in 2001 with a $5,000 purse, Smoke on the Water Productions has built a series of America’s premier barbecue competitions, each now averaging over 20,000 visitors and 150 of the world’s foremost professional cook teams. In contests held from coast to coast, Smoke on the Water Productions has awarded over $4,500,000 in cash and prizes, including new vehicles.
ABOUT SARACEN CASINO RESORT
Officially opened in Fall 2020, Saracen Casino Resort is Arkansas’ first stand-alone casino and is located in Pine Bluff. The casino offers an 80,000-square-foot gaming area complete with nearly 40 table games, a dedicated poker room, and over 1,900 slot machines. On-site restaurants include Red Oak Steakhouse, a sophisticated dining experience, Legends sports bar, Saracen Express for quality fast food and pizza, and Sweets Coffee Shop. Saracen Casino Resort is located at 1 Saracen Resort Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601.
ABOUT SISSY’S LOG CABIN
Founded in 1970 by Sissy Jones, Sissy’s Log Cabin’s success grew until it involved the entire
Jones family, operating this iconic jewelry store known for its merchandise quality and stellar
customer service. Sissy’s has grown to be the Mid-South’s largest independently owned jewelry
store, offering diamonds, jewelry, estate pieces, and fine gifts. Sissy’s Log Cabin currently operates in six locations in Pine Bluff, Conway. Jonesboro, Little Rock, Memphis and West Little Rock.