Sunny skies shine over Smoke on the Water|Annual festival offered full day of entertainment

Published 1:00 am Sunday, October 25, 2009

By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor

Live music, crafts, classic cars, homemade chili and fresh-cooked barbecue were the makings for Saturday’s Smoke on the Water festival in downtown Washington.
Throw in a pet costume contest and parade and it made for a full day.
The 12th annual Smoke on the Water celebration was put together by several local agencies, according to Beth Byrd, administrator with Downtown Washington on the Waterfront.
Along with DWOW, others working on the project included the American Red Cross, Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, Washington Off-Leash Dog Park committee, Washington Tourism Development Authority and the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association. Patch Clark pitched in by offering storytelling sessions for the youngsters, Byrd added.
“We only had a month to plan this and all these different agencies came together,” Byrd said. “They all worked together and that is what is so cool.”
Earlier in the week, thunderstorms were being predicted for Saturday but the weather was clear most of the day, which was a relief for organizers and those attending the event.
“It’s nice to see people come out,” Byrd said. “It’s been continuous all day.”
And there was plenty to see and do. Down East Rods &Classics hosted a car show and live music entertained the crowds all day. Those scheduled to perform included the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association, Rick Groves and Neal Horne, Mike Pilgrim and Friends and When Cousins Marry.
The best barbecue chefs around arrived Friday evening to begin preparations for this year’s cook-off. First place went to Buddy’s BBQ, followed by Captain Charlies in second place and Down Home Cookers in third. The King Cooker received both fourth prize and the showmanship award.
The Greater Pamlico Area Chapter of the American Red Cross organized a chili cook-off; winners in that event were Steve Fuchs, first; Ed Summerfield, second; and Leo McCollum, third.
A new event, the pet costume contest and parade, drew such diverse entries as a ladybug and a witch. For scariest costume, the judges chose Jim, a cocker spaniel dressed as a devil and accompanied by his owners, Ed and Shirley Stone of Washington. The award for cutest costume went to Scrappy, a long-haired chihuahua dressed as a chicken, and his owner, Nancy Repetti of Washington Park. And most original honors went to Bear and Beau, a pair of standard poodles attired as convicts. They live with Rebecca and Bill Clark of Washington.
A pumpkin carving competition was hosted by the Washington Tourism Development Authority; results of that event were not available at press time.