SUGAR CREEK, Mo. -- Sugar Creek is starting a whole new tradition with some historic ties.
Saturday, the small town of 3,300 held its first Smokin' in the Creek Reboot BBQ competition.
It had one for ten years under the same name, minus reboot. Five years later, the BBQ competition is back.
"A lot of people started asking about the contest, when is it coming back," said Sugar Creek's new mayor Mike Larson.
He saw the want for it when he was campaigning.
City leaders decided against the festival in 2013 because of budget concerns. It costs the city about $8,000 to run, but officials say it gives good name recognition and brings at about 500 people.
However, BBQ insiders tell us a team will usually bring at least $250 in business to the surrounding community.
"We saw that they were going to have it again. We were like we have to get back down there," explained Dakota Weikel, who's first BBQ contest was Smokin' in the Creek, seven years ago.
He and his family make up the Sons of Brisket team, and Saturday could be seen monitoring the smoker's temperature and seasoning the meat.
"My uncle and my dad. My brothers come in and out with their little ones," said Weikel.
53 teams share similar experiences of fellowship, the festival draws people from nearby states as well as past American Royal Winners like Plowboys BBQ.
Police officer Mark Mika, who watched his father grill at the competition is happy to see the contest's return.
"More things we can have to draw people to Sugar Creek," said Mika.
There is a free concert tied with the festival on Friday night.
This weekend is a good time for the Sons of Brisket to reminisce.
"To come back to where we all started, I think it’s going to be a good weekend," said Weikel.
Winners are announced around 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The grand champion will get an invitation to the American Royal.
