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scenario for walking around and exploring the teams as well as the vendors on hand. If the entire weekend stayed on course the way it was going, this would prove to be an epic weekend that would bare repeating every year regardless, and quickly become a North East staple for the KCBS cir- cuit. It wouldn’t be the Grand Champions Insane Swine BBQ’s top winning Q, or Big Raz BBQ and his RGC to add to his epic run this year, or even my teams very first SCA event that scored a dead-tie for 1st place w our steak. Nope, none of those trophies, win- nings, or memories would ultimately have the soul- shaking and heart-melting effect that this years Kids-Q had on every single person in attendance. I was simply amazing. There were 16 total teams competing in the Kids-Q event. What helped to make this event so unique was the inclusion of children from the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, and Springfield, that would make up 6 of those teams. Each of those teams was paired up with a lucky member of a KCBS team. And the stage was set. From the moment the turkey burger recipes started flying, so did the smiles and good times. All in attendance quickly knew they were wit- nessing something very special. These were unique memories unfolding before all of our eyes. And the kid's eyes? They were filled with joy and excitement as the coals finally lit, and smoke started rising, and burgers started to sizzle. Each child had that glimmer of victory already on their faces, but it wasn’t for the prospect of a potential first place, it was for the joy of cooking, and the success of a tasty burger. BBQ has the ability to level the playing field real quick, as all competitors know. But this was a different equality, and every adult under that shelter saw it unfolding. The wheelchairs seamed to vanish, crutches disap- peared, and injuries and symptoms of the past held no grip on these children today. As they kids pushed on, forming smash burgers, chopping secrete ingredients, and spreading million-dollar smiles, the adults held fast to their emotions, knowing they were a part of something far more rewarding than any future SCA call, 1st place brisket, or 180 perfect score that might have been filling their heads for days. As I walked through filming for the next episode of BBQ iT, I was caught up in it as well. Quickly my tears of joy were keeping me from focusing my camera, (as they were while writing this article) I wanted to look up and wit- ness these moments in real-time and not just stare at my screen for the right composition. Damn it, more tears! Everywhere you looked, large bbq men huddled around a new Weber Smokey Joe (that each kid got to keep!) with little bbq giants flipping burgers, and toasting buns. Each man and woman changed forever. That night, and the following days beer-circles and campfires were not so much filled with the “What if’s” of the competition, but rather a “Man, that was awe- some!” and “Simply the best Kids-Q I’ve ever seen!” Every man and woman on every team quickly men- tioned how he or she couldn’t wait to be involved with the next one, and the next one after that! Yes there were winners, and ribbons, and trophies, and cash given out, all that’s expected from an amazing first-time KCBS event. But, it’s the guarantee that there will be a shoving match to sign up for next years Kids-Q that will be first on everyone’s mind come next August! So to that I say this was a massive success of an event. Nicole and Chad, hat’s off to ya’ll for creating what is sure to be one of the premier stops on the KCBS and SCA circuits in the northeast. Oh, and for Kids-Q as well;) OCTOBER 2019 BarbecueNews.com - 21