Barbecue contest added to Charleston festival

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Barbecue cooks and critics alike will have their work cut out for them at this year's Dogwood-Azalea Festival: April 17 will feature Charleston's first sanctioned barbecue contest. The "Pigs in the Garden BBQ Contest" is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, the largest international organization of barbecue enthusiasts, organizers say. Teams from eight states have already registered to compete. The deadline to sign up is March 17, and the entry fee is $200 with a total of $5,000 in prize money to be awarded. The contest will be held at Reeve's Boomland RV Park in Charleston. Those interested in participating either as a cook or a judge should call (573) 683-2458.