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Barbecue buffs gather in DC for annual showdown

Kristi King | kking@wtop.com

June 25, 2016, 3:59 PM

Mike Peters with the Kansas City BBQ Society displays the chicken he cooked up during the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Mike Peters with the Kansas City BBQ Society displays the chicken he cooked up during the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Attendees show off their plates of sample food at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Attendees show off their plates of sample food at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
An audience at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle watches a cooking demonstration Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King) (WTOP/Kristi King)
Sebastian Noel attended the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle to promote Cholula Hot Sauce on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Sebastian Noel attended the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle to promote Cholula Hot Sauce on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
KRAVE Jerky sells their products at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
KRAVE Jerky sells their products at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
A local attendee of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle finds some shade on a hot day Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
A local attendee of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle finds some shade on a hot day Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Darlene Holland of D.C. samples hamburger at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Darlene Holland of D.C. samples hamburger at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Aaron Cook of Winthrop, Iowa, grills up some pork samples at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Aaron Cook of Winthrop, Iowa, grills up some pork samples at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
The reigning Iowa Pork Queen, 18-year-old Holly Cook, attends the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. Cook is going to Iowa State University for agriculture business. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The reigning Iowa Pork Queen, 18-year-old Holly Cook, attends the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. Cook is going to Iowa State University for agriculture business. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
The “world’s largest traveling grill” was on display at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King) (WTOP/Kristi King)
Glenda Smith of Alexandria, Virginia, said this brat was "spicy and flavorful" at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King).
Glenda Smith of Alexandria, Virginia, said this brat was “spicy and flavorful” at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. . (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Bonnie Coffey of Maryland waves at the Capitol next to the Famous Dave's pig at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Bonnie Coffey of Maryland waves at the Capitol next to the Famous Dave’s pig at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Smoke flies off of some barbecued meat at the 2016 Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Smoke flies off of some barbecued meat at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Barbara Hall of Alexandria, Virginia, prepares a box for Pork Barrel BBQ at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Barbara Hall of Alexandria, Virginia, prepares a box for Pork Barrel BBQ at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Man working on his barbecue smoker.
Heath Hall, owner of Pork Barrel BBQ in Alexandria, Virginia, is a two-time winner of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. The annual festival took place Saturday and Sunday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Three stages were set up for musical entertainment at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday and Sunday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King) (WTOP/Kristi King)
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Mike Peters with the Kansas City BBQ Society displays the chicken he cooked up during the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Attendees show off their plates of sample food at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Sebastian Noel attended the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle to promote Cholula Hot Sauce on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
KRAVE Jerky sells their products at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
A local attendee of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle finds some shade on a hot day Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Darlene Holland of D.C. samples hamburger at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Aaron Cook of Winthrop, Iowa, grills up some pork samples at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The reigning Iowa Pork Queen, 18-year-old Holly Cook, attends the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. Cook is going to Iowa State University for agriculture business. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Glenda Smith of Alexandria, Virginia, said this brat was "spicy and flavorful" at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King).
Bonnie Coffey of Maryland waves at the Capitol next to the Famous Dave's pig at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Smoke flies off of some barbecued meat at the 2016 Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Barbara Hall of Alexandria, Virginia, prepares a box for Pork Barrel BBQ at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Man working on his barbecue smoker.

WASHINGTON — A hot, sunny day and even hotter grills kicked off the 24th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on Saturday on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“It’s amazing down here, cooking between the Capitol and the White House,” said Heath Hall, the owner of Pork Barrel BBQ in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hall is a two-time winner of the contest, which draws teams from around the country. He was prepared for a tough fight this year.

“You have some of the top teams in the world [here],” he said.

Among those in attendance were popular barbecue circuit competitors such as Myron Micksonn from Georgia and Tuffy Stone from Richmond, Virginia.

“So, if you’re going to win it, you’re going to have to ‘bring it’ this weekend,” Hall said.

An early crowd of people enjoyed music and food, lining up to get free food samples, watch cooking demonstrations and fill out forms in the hopes of winning prizes such as instant-read thermometers and barbecue grills.

The three-stage festival runs Saturday and Sunday, culminating with a musical performance by Trouble Funk and an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 per day.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

kking@wtop.com

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