“The Most Magical Weekend in BBQ; the Kora Kares for Kids Ride-In and BBQ Competition,” sanctioned by The Kansas City Barbeque Society, was held from August 14-16 in Hiram, Maine, at the Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds. It was an unforgettable weekend full of exquisite BBQ, a Kick-Off Parade of motorcycle riding, decked out golf carts, and antique cars being showcased, Kids Zones with outdoor movies and ice-cream, The Famed Kids Que …and, of course, most importantly–giving back to the community by raising funds for The Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Inclusive BBQ Events
As per usual, Inclusive BBQ Events set-up and hosted a stunning weekend for all 63 BBQ teams from 17 different states who participated! Inclusive BBQ Events www.inclusivebbqevents.org is a Non-profit focusing on “inclusivity, compassion, and community support through culinary endeavors.” Kathy Trainor of Inclusive BBQ Events posted: “I want to thank all the teams, judges, and reps! We had an amazing weekend. I know we have judges as far as Minnesota, Texas, and Arkansas. I love how big this event has been and how wide it has spread across the country.” Kathy Trainor has long fought for a “Kid’s Q, Every Q.” On their website, you may read their Mission Statement and how Inclusive BBQ Events was created. Above all, Kathy and her husband Tom Trainor explain that: “As parents of two neurodivergent children, Kathy and Tom watched their children grow in confidence, communication, and life skills through Kids Q and Family-Centered cooking experiences. They simply felt ‘included.’ That transformation made one thing clear: BBQ could do more. That is why inclusive BBQ Events was founded.”
Kathy continues: “But it is not us who make (s the) weekend—Humphrey’s BBQ makes this all possible. Without them, none of this would be what it is today. They created Kora. I just try to make it as good as they did when it started 12 years ago.” Kathy also posted that: “People are already asking, so I might as well share! Kora is ALWAYS the 3rd weekend in August!” Teams are already booking their lodging now for “Kora Kares for Kids, August 20-22, 2027!”
Three Cheers for Humphrey’s BBQ!
Humphry’s BBQ ran their infamous Rib Auction at the Kora Kares for Kids Event. www.humphreysbbq.com In fact, Humphrey’s BBQ also prepared 2 different pans/flavors of BBQ Ribs for the Rib Auction…and 1 pan of Dr. Pepper Ribs prepared by Nicole Humphrey raised $850.00 and the other flavor pan of ribs prepared by husband Chad Humphrey used Ryan King’s BBQ Pecan and Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ sauce and raised $500.00! www.smokinhoggzbbq.com is legendary 8X World BBQ Champions Bill Gillespie’s line of BBQ products. King’s BBQ is an award-winning barbecue catering company and food truck in Northeast Florida led by champion Pitmaster Ryan King. www.kingsbbqjax.com Actually, @kingsbbq_ has “landed at Humphrey’s HQ! Several new rubs and sauces will be available both in-store and online!”
An incredible and astonishing $26, 000.00 was raised during the “Humphrey’s Famous Rib Auction” for The Shriners Hospitals for Children! Nicole Humphrey quoted: “I cannot believe that we raised that much. Thank you to everyone who donated, bid, and purchased ribs. You all hold a very special place in my heart. The best part of the weekend was reconnecting with BBQ friends from near and far while making so many new ones. That is what makes this BBQ community so special.” Humphrey’s BBQ deserves an enormous round of applause for all of their tenacious hard work and especially for the generosity of spirit in ALL THE MANY WAYS in which Humphrey’s BBQ donates to make The Most Magical Weekend in BBQ a resounding success! Here, Here X 3 !!!
KIDS QUE
Dan Guilmette, Member of Kora Shrine Kare for Kids Ride-In took an abundance of lovely photos of The Most Magical Weekend in BBQ and has shared them on Facebook for all to enjoy! There are multiple postings of all of the various contests, including, of course—The Much Beloved “KIDS QUE!” This year, The Kids Que ingredient was: maple syrup! There is a KIDS QUE Special Sponsor Shoutout: “A HUGE thank you to Hilltop Boilers Pure Maple for sponsoring the Kids Que at Kora Kare for Kids! Our young Pitmasters will be firing up the grills, showing off their BBQ skills, and having fun with delicious Hilltop Boilers Pure Maine Maple Syrup!” Indeed, a sticky-finger-licking grand old time was had by all Kids Que participants! Thank you again to Dan Guilmette for sharing a plethora of the weekend’s photos!!!
Oh, Hello, again, Dearest Elizabeth!
Our Darling Elizabeth Robbins had an outstanding time and a remarkable finish in The BBQ Ribs Auction. Linda Robbins, Elizabeth’s Mom, wrote to me the following message: “Elizabeth was able to compete in the Kora Kare for Kids BBQ Competition again this year thanks to her mentors, ElJefe Smoke, and her sponsors, Humphrey’s BBQ. She just loves them! Her ribs were very good this year…bringing in $700.00 in the auction for the Shriners! They were so tasty that she actually beat out her mentors and her sponsors by placing 29th!” BRAVA, Elizabeth!
*You may find Elizabeth and Linda Robbins’ original story at www.ribbqnews.com and search for my article entitled: The Red Thread: Elizabeth and Linda Robbins – BBQ News posted on September 27th, 2024
Old Virginia Smoke … And….Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ Team Up!
BBQ Team “Old Virginia Smoke,” has posted their response on August 16th in regard to Winning the Grand Championship at Kora! “What a huge day at Kora Kares BBQ in Maine! Much more to come but I wanna be better at posting. 180’s in pork and ribs with that Compart Duroc and a 3rd place Snake River Farms brisket…good enough for the Grand Championship! We’re headed to Vegas for the BBQ World Cup! Will post more details soon, but thank you to everyone who was a help these past 2 days!” Fascinatingly, Old Virginia Smoke and Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ are “teaming up!” “We’ve talked about it for years…and now it’s time! The Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ-Old Virginia Smoke Competition Classes will be happening this off-season!….
The F****** CATALINA BBQ CLASS!”
“We will have 1 in Wrentham, Massachusetts on December 5-6, 2026, and another in Northern Virginia on February 6-7, 2027! Registration for both is LIVE and ready! You’ll get all the tips, tricks, timelines, ingredients and recipes for all four KCBS competition meats from BOTH Pitmasters! Up your game! RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!”
THE BIGGEST BBQ TWIST… Just A Sneak Pre-View!
The Kora Kare for Kids Ride-in and BBQ Competition was also setting the stage for 2 lucky BBQ Teams, The Grand Champion Winner and The Reserve Grand Champion Winner at Kora, to qualify for:
- The American Royal World Series of BBQ on September 30-October 4, 2026
- The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational on October 9-10, 2026…. and…
- The Inaugural BBQ World Cup on April 8-11, 2027, in Las Vegas, Home of the $1,000,000.00 Pitmaster Championship!
On Sunday, August 16th at 10:54 PM I received a text message from Dan Swanson of ElJefe Smoke… as you recall, Dan Swanson is the father of Sabrina Swanson…
Of course, you brilliant www.ribbqnews.com Readers have obviously perused my last article, entitled: “Fan Favorite: Team ElJefe Smoke,” and therefore are aware of ElJefe’s BBQ Winning Trifecta…and the fact that ElJefe Smoke announced their Reserve Grand Champion Win at The Smoke on the Rail BBQ Contest earned them a qualifying spot in the Inaugural BBQ World Cup and Expo, Home of the $1,000,000.00 Pitmaster Championship…
ElJefe’s Dan Swanson wrote to me the following: “We now have a twist to this story. Today Sabrina and her team Smoke Sisters just made the cut for THE BBQ WORLD CUP! They won RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION at the Kora Event in Maine. Now Sabrina and Starla are qualified for VEGAS! Unfortunately, Starla couldn’t compete this weekend, but Sabrina subbed in an amazing helper out of retirement to help out and they finished 2nd!”
Dan continues: “This weekend will be a great memory for her. Action packed!”
I asked Dan, “What did your daughter Sabrina actually say???” Sabrina’s response was: “OMG. What is going on? How did I do this? Can I even go to Vegas???”
All of this means that there will be a MILLION DOLLAR DAD VS. DAUGHTER BBQ SHOWDOWN at The Inaugural BBQ World Cup on April 8-11, 2027, in LAS VEGAS!
Jayna from A Mazie Q @amazieq subbed in to assist Sabrina for Smoke Sisters to take Reserve Grand Champion. Jayna posted; “I can’t tell who I’m more excited for…Sabrina or Dad?!”
The BBQ World Cup posted this: “Two more tickets to Las Vegas came out of Hiram, Maine this weekend…In Hiram, Maine, Old Virginia Smoke were untouchable. Perfect 180s in Pork AND Ribs. Old Virginia Smoke went Grand Champion on 709.13 from a 51 Team field, and Luke Darnell lifting that Grand Champion trophy over his head. And right behind him, Smoke Sisters took Reserve on 703.94 and became the youngest team ever to reach the BBQ World Cup. Read that again. The youngest team in the field just booked their seat.” www.bbqunited.com
Sabrina—MIC DROP. YOU GO GIRL! All the Kudos, all the Cheers, all the HOORAYS! Such a PHENOMENAL PLOT TWIST!
‘Twas indeed, The Most Magical Weekend in BBQ!
