A couple of years ago, my husband Brian and I ditched the family picnic we were supposed to attend, and joined a large crowd of BBQ affectinados in Creekside for the annual Canadian BBQ Championships! I think I do a pretty good BBQ so our standards are high.  We got there late so did not get our money’s worth of tasters, actually we paid $8 for a tiny sample of one of the stands. That was our fault though for arriving so late in the day. 

I have good memories of that day though. The tantalizing scent of BBQ hangs in the air as Guitar Doug (one half of the Whistler famous Hairfarmers) plays country music. He is partnered with a local ‘fiddler’ that could beat the devil! Just a sign of a good musician when he can play anything with anyone. These two could have cut an album, and I would have bought it…and I don’t like country music.  BUT what else can you play at a good, old-fashioned BBQ slap down.  That year, a local boy of Bobs BBQ won…  ah…cold beer and BBQ.

BBQ Masters from all over North America will be competing for the honour of “Canadian Champion 2010″ starting this July 30th and August 1st.  This is a reason to come to Whistler all on its own.  Vegetarians beware, there is some serious meat talk going on.  The teams competing are deadly serious about their secret recipies and winning that coveted title.  This year,on July 30th you can actually take a BBQ Judging class to become a certified BBQ Judge.  I think that would be a useful skill to have.  From 7-8pm that day they also have a demonstration on how to cook a whole hog.  If you can imagine, I am not sure if that would be a useful skill to have or not? Dusty’s has the Hip Show, a tragically Hip Tribute Band at 10pm.

Theres a Chili Championship on the Saturday, and its LOCALS BBQ day! Locals compete to win over $2,000 in cash and prizes.  This is when you get to eat the hog you started cooking yesterday, complete with baked beans, corn on the cob, coleslaw, tossed greens and the famous “butt rub” mayo…trust me its better than it sounds~for $15.

On Sunday, August 1st there is competitions for Pork Butt, Cork & Pork, Beef Brisket, Chicken and Ribs BBQ… And Guitar Doug and Friends start playing at 12pm.  I think I’ll go down there…look for the woman with her feet up on a chair, enjoying a cold beer, great music and the Whistler summer vibe…SUMMER ROCKS!