CRESTVIEW — An estimated 15,000 people attended the 10th annual Triple B Festival on Saturday, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce organizers said.
A day and a night of drenching storms dumped almost 5 inches of rain on the Crestview area prior to the festival, but fair weather allowed Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cook-off attendees, pit masters and organizers to enjoy the event.
Keep reading for a list of the winners!
"I felt like a porpoise all (Friday) night," Possum Ridge BBQ pit master Rick Plante said. "It was nasty, miserable, windy and wet. We couldn't keep the heat up on the grill."
But by the time the Crestview Young Marines presented the colors and J.R. Lewis sang the "Star Spangled Banner" to launch the festival, fair weather put everyone into a good mood.
Good weather draws crowd
As the day progressed, more and more people started crowding Main Street and lining up for barbecue.
Pigstickers owner Mark Thompson said the weather has always cooperated with the Triple B as long as he has been involved with the event.
Since the Triple B changed locations from the Old Spanish Trail Park to Main Street, crowds have steadily increased, he said.
Crestview residents Kevin and Joyce Gravois brought their dog, Ruxbee, to Main Street. The couple, who regularly attend the event to listen to bluegrass music, said they did not mind occasionally cloudy conditions.
"Actually the clouds worked in our favor by providing shade," Joyce said.
Tom Moody, who serves on the festival planning committee, agreed.
"Out of all of the Triple B events I have done … the weather (Saturday was) the best it could possibly be," he said.
'Having a great time'
From bounce houses to two stages of lively music, there was plenty for the crowd to see, hear and do — and eat. There also was dancing in the streets as "Latin American Idol" performer Amid sang.
After enjoying the food and children's activities, first-time attendees Eric Balbo and his daughter, Kadence, 7, are considering coming back for next year's event.
"We (were) having a great time," Eric said.
Moody and event chair Christie Cadenhead pronounced this year's event a success.
"It was wildly successful because we were all expecting rain," she said.
Cadenhead was also impressed with how long people stayed.
"We had a larger crowd (stay) for a longer portion," she said.
2014 People’s Choice Winner: The Little Smokehouse
Grand Champion: Poverty Hill Smokers
Reserve Champion: Kickin' Ash 68
Chicken:
1st: Kickin' Ash 68
2nd: Poverty Hill Smokers
3rd: Holly Smokes
Ribs:
1st: Poverty Hill Smokers
2nd: Funny Farm BBQ
3rd: The Little Smokehouse
Pork:
1st: Poverty Hill Smokers
2nd: Hub City Smokehouse
3rd: Kickin' Ash 68
Brisket:
1st: Jackson BBQ
2nd: Kickin' Ash 68
3rd: Poverty Hill Smokers
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Quadruple B! Blackwater, Bluegrass, Barbecue and Blue skies draw an estimated 15,000 attendees