Monticello hosts BBQ showdown at first Smoke ‘N Octane Festival

MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — People across Piatt County enjoyed some summer fun and food this weekend.

Monticello hosted their inaugural Smoke ‘N Octane Festival. Some even got a head start on the festivities on Friday. People could expect lots of cook-outs, live music, and even a car show.

John Frerichs is the vice chair for the Monticello Recreation Foundation, and said it’s meant to show people the fun side of Monticello.

“Friends, family come together, have a good time. Great weather. Just a great weekend all together,” he said.

The Smoke ‘N Octane Festival brought, well, high-octane excitement to town.

“Monticello used to have a great event called Monti-Celebration. We don’t really have that event anymore. So, we’re hoping that this kind of becomes the annual staple event for our community,” Frerichs said.

He said the money goes to a variety of organizations.

“The Monticello Recreation Foundation does support and assist in Oberheim Park, and maybe some future development of that.”

The crown jewel of the event was the barbecue competition.

“They are cooking a brisket, pork butt, and a chicken — all due tomorrow between 11, 11:30,” Frerichs said. “And we’re going to crown a champion of each category as well as a grand champion. So, it’s kind of our staple. It’s the key component.”

Wes Hornback had one team out of six competitors, all based in Monticello.

“We’ve got some good products. And yeah, we’re just going to beat everybody. So it’s going to be easy,” he said.

Hornback said it’s good fun to show the area what Monticello has got cooking.

“It’s kind of cool that the town can kind of bring this back and have an opportunity to get some people that are, you know, unique to this area and have a love for cooking and barbecuing.”

The plan is to return the event again next year.

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