By Bonnie Culverhouse
Minden Main Street’s annual Grilling on Main event continues to be a huge success. Even with a little rain mixed in with last weekend’s fun, crowds were constant for the two-day competition.
Main Street board chairman Shawn Hatcher said the weekend was very successful.
“Both days were awesome – attendance was up double from last year,” he said. “The People’s Choice tasting was attended by approximately 1,000 people – one of the biggest we have ever had.”
Minden Main Street Director Sarah Overall said all 30 grilling teams were required to participate in the “People’s Choice” category this year.
“They cooked for a thousand people and ran out of food,” she said. “After 2 o’clock we still had people lining up wanting wristbands.”
Overall feels like keeping it local may have brought in a lot of out-of-towners.
“Friday night was very well attended,” she said. “I think having a local band – Flight Delay – contributed to that. Then having all the restaurants downtown, too.”
The Little Grillers competition, sponsored by Ace Hardware didn’t hurt, either.
Proceeds from Grilling on Main will go into Main Street’s nonprofit account, Overall said. “The Main Street board in conjunction with the City of Minden will work together to make things happen … more events in the downtown district.”
Hatcher contributes the event’s success “to the awesome support from all of our sponsors and awesome public attendees.
“I truly believe this is what it is to live in the best city in the south,” he continued. “People coming together and having a fun-filled public event and sharing a great time together! I love Minden, Louisiana!”
Winners include:
Grand Champion
1st – The Long Shots
2nd – The Roosters
3rd – Minden Rock
People’s Choice:
1st – The Roosters
2nd – Rouxgoroux
3rd – Bearded Que
Chicken Category:
1st – The Long Shots
2nd – Rouxgoroux
3rd – Low and Slow
Ribs category:
1st – Rougoroux
2nd – The Roosters
3rd – Parts to Parts
Brisket Category:
1st – The Roosters
2nd – Shake a Bone
3rd – Allen Smokey Pig
Next year’s Grilling on Main event will be the 10th year it has been held.
