Que’in on the Red

“Everything’s goin’ up in Smoke” as the City of Alexandria prepares to host its 5th annual barbecue festival, Que’in on the Red, March 19th – 20th on the banks of the Red River. This sanctioned Memphis Barbecue Network festival offers friendly competition in six categories; whole hog, pork shoulder, pork ribs, beef, poultry and sauce and attracts competitive teams from across the United States and Central Louisiana. Teams from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Illinois gather to prove their secret sauces, rubs and grilling techniques are what it takes to be the Grand Champion of the “Red.”

Many of the teams travel the “barbecue circuit” competing in sanctioned and non-sanctioned competitions. For local teams participating, the chance to network with out-of-state teams is an opportunity to perfect their game. To ensure a fair and just competition, and maintain the integrity of the judging process, MBN provides trained, knowledgeable and qualified judges who judge teams on taste, tenderness and presentation. The goal of MBN is to be attentive to the needs of competing teams and recognize their hard work and investment of time and resources. They also provide communication, support and organization to existing contests as they prepare to host teams traveling the circuit.

All teams registered for competition at Que’in are required to cook in at least one (1) MBN category; whole hog, pork shoulder, and pork ribs. The ancillary contest held on Friday evening, sets the stage for Saturdays competition by allowing teams to cook beef, poultry and sauce. Unlike the Ancillary contest, Saturday’s competition is judged by trained and certified MBN judges. Each judge must complete a half-day class covering all aspects of barbecue judging. In September of 2008, Alexandria hosted a MBN judging class and trained over 60 barbecue enthusiasts!

To create an inclusive competition, Que’in Kid’s Cookoff, was added to the festival’s list of activities. “Que’in Kid’s Cookoff” gives youth ages 8 – 17 the opportunity to compete for prizes and bragging rights as well. This year’s “Que’in Kid’s Cookoff” is sponsored by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. With two categories in which to compete, “Chop Soooy” (pork chops) and “Chicken Little” (chicken), teams consisting of four members with one member being an adult, square off on Saturday morning before a host of local celebrity judges. Repeat participants include the Boys and Girls Club and Renaissance Home for Youth. Winners are awarded trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. A complete sweep of the competition gives you bragging rights for the year.

For the adult competition, “Que’in on the Red” offers an attractive purse. Winning teams receive $10,000 in cash, prizes and trophies. The competition’s grand champion receives $2,500 and registration in MBN’s annual champion competition. First place winners in each MBN category; whole hog, pork shoulder, and pork ribs, receive $1,000 and a trophy noting placement. Second place winners receive $800 and a trophy. Third place winners receive $400 and a trophy. Fourth place winners receive $200 and a trophy. Fifth place winners receive $100 and a trophy. The Ancillary prizes are awarded with trophies for 1st through 3rd place.

Each year, a local artist is selected to create a unique piece of artwork to be given to the Grand Champion. This year, local artist Anne Reid will design a one-of-a-kind art piece saluting the love of barbecuing and the Red River. This piece of artwork will travel with the competition’s Grand Champion representing the city of Alexandria and its unique culture.

To help mark the festival’s fifth year, the City’s Division of Community Services held a poster contest. Five individual designs were submitted, all depicting the love of barbecue and the Red River. But it was the design created by Dr. David Holcombe that caught the eye of the festival’s volunteer planning committee and division staff members. A limited number of individually numbered and signed posters are available for sale at the offices of Community Services located at City Hall in Downtown Alexandria. Posters will also be available at the festival merchandise tent.

In addition to the competitive offerings, Que’in on the Red is known for its always impressive musical line-up. Regional and national acts performing zydeco, country, rock and rhythm and blues will take to the stage. On Friday evening, at 6:00pm, Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band will kick off the festival’s musical entertainment. Keith, the “Zydeco Boss,” has become a leader of the Zydeco movement. Keith began playing music as a toddler learning from his father Preston and later uncle Carlton Frank. Keith and his zydeco band will be sure to energize the crowd as they prepare for the evenings headline act, Cross Canadian Ragweed. Referred by some as southern rock and country, the band wants it clearly known that they are a rock and roll band with a spirit and sound that the Arizona Daily Star hails as “simple, driving rock-common man’s poetry set to music.”

On Saturday, March 20th, the stage will come alive with “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman,” Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band at 2:00pm. New Orleans
rock n’ roll band Cowboy Mouth will follow with a 4:00pm performance. For over 15 years, the members of Cowboy Mouth have preached and shouted at the top of their lungs the joys of being alive and the joys of being in and from New Orleans. Their show is always full of surprises and full of energy!

Ten-time Grammy winning artist Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will take the stage immediately following the “Que’in” awards ceremony at 6:30pm performing hit songs from his 11 solo albums. This poignant tunesmith, prolific hit maker/producer, superstar recording artist and revolutionary label owner continues to add milestone after milestone to a legacy that seems to have no end in sight.

Headlining the evening and back by popular demand, Frankie Beverly and MAZE will perform at 8:30pm. With a sound that is distinctive, passionate, creative, soulful, honest and powerful, Frankie Beverly and MAZE has created a unique sound and has become one of the most influential groups in modern history.

To complete the festival’s entertaining offerings, a children’s area featuring a carnival with games and rides, will be offered.

An opportunity to taste competition meat will be given to the public at the Wright & Percy Insurance People’s Choice Tent. From 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Saturday, the public can purchase five samples of competition meat for just $3.00. Customers will have the opportunity to choose their favorites, with the winner named the 2010 People’s Choice Award.

In this fifth year of existence, Que’in would not be possible without its community partners. Those include the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA), the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Paragon Casino Resort, Hixson Autoplex, First Federal Bank of Louisiana, Christus St. Frances Cabrini, Wright & Percy Insurance, and Budweiser.

Envisioned by the Alexandria City Council, “Que’in on the Red” has quickly become an event attracting visitors from around the state, region and United States. On
October 25, 2005, the City Council passed Resolution No. 7842-2005 naming
“Que’in on the Red” the official festival of the City of Alexandria. The Resolution recognizes the festival’s origin as a result of the citizenry and community leaders goals to continue to develop and promote the city’s attributes. Since that time, the city has derived great benefit from the celebration of “Que’in on the Red.” The Alexandria/Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau calculates the economic impact for the last 4 years: 2006 - $755,600; 2007 - $1,168,000; 2008 - $600,200; and 2009 - $1,674,200. Those numbers reflect spending in stores, restaurants and hotels.

Festival gates will open at 4:00pm on Friday, March 19th and 12:00noon on Saturday, March 20th. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. For more information on this year’s Que’in on the Red Festival, visit the festival’s website at www.queinonthered.com.