Fair barbecue about "fun, patience'

August 8, 2011 at 8:59 a.m. | Updated August 8, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.

Bob Duncan of Fulton, brushes sauce onto his ribs. Duncan said he has competed at the county fair's barbecue challenge a number of times over the years.
Bob Duncan of Fulton, brushes sauce onto his ribs. Duncan said he has competed at the county fair's barbecue challenge a number of times over the years.

He's never won, but that's not why Michael Palmer participates in barbecue contests anyway.

As he worked over a hot grill Saturday morning in preparation for the Backyard Barbecue contest at the Kingdom of Callaway County Fair, Palmer said it is more about time spent - and enjoyed - with the people involved than with the prize.

"It's fun and it brings your family together - my wife is here, my brother and his wife and their kids are here and the grandchildren are usually here too," Palmer said of his seventh year participating in the fair's barbecue challenge. "There's no secret to (good barbecue), you just have fun, and it gives you the chance to meet other people."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.