BBQ contest comes to downtown McKenzie this weekend

McKENZIE, Tenn. — One West Tennessee city’s downtown square will be filled with the sweet smell of barbecue this weekend.

The BBQ & Blues on Broadway cooking contest will feature pit masters from around the region, all competing for a $700 prize.

Some cookers say they enjoy working small-town events.

“Just the closeness of the people — it’s more of a camaraderie with small events,” Brian Morrison, owner of Big B’s BBQ, said. “I’ve worked big events, and you don’t even get to see a lot of the teams. Here, everyone’s close. You can meet and talk to everyone, and I like the closeness and just the small-town feel.”

Vendors will be on hand through Saturday night.

Awards for the cooking contest will be given out at 3 p.m.