Smoke in Jennings Park this weekend won’t be cause for alarm — unless you’re running late to the party.

The City of Brewton will play host to its first every barbecue competition as “Smoked” — the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event — gets underway.

With nine teams already committed to the first event of its kind in the city, Chamber executive secretary Judy Crane said there will be plenty of smoked goodness to enjoy.

“The teams are ready,” Crane said. “They will be cooking items from chicken wings and pulled pork to ribs and brisket.”

Teams already on-board for the event include those from David’s Catfish, Trustmark, Brewton Police Department, Country Club of Brewton, Brewton Fire Department, Poarch Fire Department, Tony Salter, Jeff and Reba Jones and Rusty Miller.

Crane said the plan is to have the teams compete in one of three categories for the top honors of the event. Samples of the team’s efforts will be available for tasters who purchase a ticket that will also give them the job of voting for the best barbecue on the grounds.

“The ticket will give the taster a chance to sample barbecue from five different competitors.” Crane said. “The top of the ticket will be used as a ballot for the taster to vote for their favorite team. The judging will be by popular vote with the winner being dubbed Best BBQ during closing ceremonies.”

Crane said teams will have samples ready for tasters beginning at 3 p.m. Sampling and voting will continue until 6 p.m. Votes will be collected each hour with a final vote count held just after 6 p.m., she said.

The final vote box will be counted at 6 p.m. and a winner is expected to be announced by 6:30 p.m., Crane said.

Teams will consist of up to five cooks with a head chef in charge of the group responsible for cooking beef, chicken or pork.

To herald attendance or support of the event, a “Smoked” T-shirt is also available complete with the event logo already in place. The shirts will be available at the Chamber office until Friday, Crane said, with any remaining shirts available at the event.

The tropy presented at the end of the event has been a labor of love for many in the area, Crane said.

“We had several people working together to help with the trophy,” Crane said. “Ann Peach helped with it as well as Jus Do and others. It’s a really nice, unusual piece and will be great for the winner to display.”

The trophy will be presented at the closing ceremonies and will be held by the winner until the next “Smoked” event, Crane said.

Teams will be setting up early on the grounds at Jennings Park. Visitors are invited to watch the action and learn from the masters of the art of barbecue.

For additional details or directions, contact the Chamber office at 867-3224.