By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
Because the inaugural Smokin’ on the Pecos State BBQ Championship was not just a success but “exceeded all expectations,” David and Vickie Grousnick and Sharon Barker of the Artesia Trailblazers have already begun planning for next year’s competition.
“Sure, we had dreams and hopes in terms of how successful this would be,” Vickie Grousnick said. “But it was really nothing like we imagined! We could have used three times the number of volunteers for the amount of people who showed up. We were slammed!” … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
Roughly estimating that at least 7,500 people came out to enjoy the event, David Grousnick said many of the vendors found themselves scrambling to happily appease everyone. Some even broke personal records for single-day or weekend sales.
“All of our barbecue vendors sold out,” David said. “Some of them even ran out of supplies, came into town to replenish their supplies, went back out to the fairgrounds, and sold out again.”
