The Meat of the Matter

Frisco will be a carnivore’s dream this weekend as Colorado’s best ribs, pork shoulder, brisket and chicken are smoked and grilled on Main Street. The 16th annual Colorado BBQ Challenge is the real deal — a Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned qualifier to the Super Bowl of all BBQ events — meaning it attracts the state’s sweetest secret recipes, which will all be available for sampling.

“Growing up in Colorado, any time you can get outside and enjoy an experience surrounded by mountains, it gives you that breath of fresh air that makes you feel like you’re on vacation,” says Tom Boch, Frisco’s director of marketing. In addition to the great food and beer and margaritas for sale, Boch says the highlight of the festival is the pig races: “They race around a track for Oreos. It’s a hoot to watch.”

The free entertainment also includes an afternoon acoustic set from the Samples, and concerts tonight with Eric Lindell and Lez Zeppelin, a Led Zeppelin cover band. You can also learn how to be your own grill master at demos from experts including Top Chef’s Brian Malarkey. The tasting goes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. The BBQ tasting currency is the Hogback, which sells for $1 each. Salsa and dessert contests will complement the meats. For info, go to www.friscobbq.com.
Fri., June 19; Sat., June 20, 2009