BBQ Roundup lets ‘big boys’ show their stuff

Tom Fuhrmeister, who runs Hawk Wild BBQ Co. out of his home in Marion, asked this week why the little guy isn't invited to compete in the BBQ Roundup.

The answer: The Roundup is a chance to see how the “big boys” do barbecue, repliedJason Anderson of VenuWorks, which organizes the BBQ Roundup.

“We try to figure out what brings people to the event,” Anderson said. “We feel like the national vendors are where it's at. And they can produce the products in a timely fashion - get it out.”

The 25th annual BBQ Roundup begins Thursday and runs through Sunday in the city parking lot at Eighth Avenue and Second Street SE in Cedar Rapids. Vendors open at 11 a.m. each day, closing at 10 p.m. Thursday; 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Fuhrmeister said he pulls his wood-fired smoker to numerous summer and fall weekend events. He said he recently asked Roundup organizers about getting into the big show, but was told he likely wouldn't get a call.

“There's no way I'm ever going to keep up with those guys with the big trailers,” Furhmeister said. “I just can't put out that much product. But, yeah, there should be a place for us.”

Anderson confirmed organizers stick with the big, national outfits because they can feed a crowd quickly. It's also a chance for Eastern Iowa barbecue lovers to sample how the “big boys” do barbecue.

Eight national vendors will be at this year's event, six of them returning and two of them newcomers, he said.

Anderson said the Roundup does appreciate the local vendors, who filled the gap after national vendors canceled four years ago after the big June flood.

Organizers, he said, keep local vendors on a waiting list to call in case of unexpected cancellations.