It was a day of winning — both for lovers of good barbecue and the Mower County Humane Society.

Saturday’s first ever Grillin & Chillin Backyard BBQ Rib Competition raised around $4,500 for the Humane Society and provided a template for how the event could be in the future.

“We know there is a desire for a barbecue event in the community from this past one,” said Discover Austin, MN Executive Director Nancy Schnable. “The community proved they wanted one.”

Even though the event was under the threat of rain throughout the day, 15 competitive barbecue teams came together for the day-long event, with the public coming in for tasting later in the afternoon when judging was to start.

That within itself was a good indicator of what the future could hold as Schnable said the goal was between

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