A Multi-State Crowd Turns Out For Rib Fest

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Mesquite Gaming held its fourth annual Rib Fest event last weekend at the Casablanca Events Tent. The BBQ contest event drew hordes of people from all over the region that could not resist their fondness for old fashioned BBQ.

The triple digit heat did not deter people from standing in long lines to satisfy their tastebuds. Perhaps the floating aromas kept them there.

There were three notable BBQ vendors in attendance at the event.

Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ came with 30 years of experience and many awards, including 1st place at the Rib Fest in 2019.

The award-winning Chicago BBQ Company was also in attendance. This group won 1st place in Best of the West contest for 2017.

Finally, the Texas Outlaw BBQ boasted more than 250 1st place awards in its 25-year history.

The People Choice award this year went to Austin Texas Lightning, and they were awarded $2,000 in prize money from Mesquite Gaming.

This year, World Champion Eater Joey Chestnut was in attendance at Rib Fest. Chestnut served as the judge for several watermelon eating contests on Saturday.

“Having the #1 Eater in the world, Joey Chestnut, on hand adds a new level of excitement to the festivities that our visitors have come to expect,” said Mesquite Gaming Assistant General Manager Christian Adderson.

As it turned out Chestnut was a great commentator and judge. He kept the energy level going and told the watermelon eaters not to dribble.

The first watermelon eating contestants had local school principals competing for a $500 donation at their school from Mesquite Gaming.

First up was Riley Frei of Virgin Valley High School going up against Maurice Perkins of Hughes Middle School. Perkins was defending his title from the last year the contest was held. He kept it this year.
“Riley upped his game this year,” Perkins said of his competitor. ‘But I have a bigger mouth.”

Next came the competition for the area elementary schools. Principal Christopher Jenkins of J.L. Bowler Elementary and Matt Bennett of Virgin Valley Elementary took the stage. Jenkins won that contest.

Then came the traditional friendly competition between the local firefighters and the police. Three members from each department turned up to compete. The firefighter team had one female competitor.

The Firefighters won. As a prize, Mesquite Gaming will donate $1,000 to the charity of their choice.

Later in the afternoon they had an open Watermelon contest for anyone who wanted to sign up.
On Saturday evening Joey competed against four locals trying to beat his own record of 9.6 pounds of pulled pork in 10 minutes, He did not accomplish that this year. But he said that he plans to keep on trying.

“I never imagined I would love competitive eating so much,” Chestnut said. “I never imagined I could make a living doing what I love.”

Chestnut competes all summer and rests in the wintertime. He keeps close watch on his health with his doctor and nutritionist and he works out regularly to stay fit. He likes to space the competitions a week apart.

“This is my first time to Mesquite and I love it,” Chestnut said. “It is pretty and it is friendly. I would love to come back.”

Adderson was pleased with the turnout. “Attendance was up this year, and we appreciate everyone that came out to support the CasaBlanca Rib Fest!” he said.