Rib Throwdown a hit for Historical Society

SAFFORD — Amateurs and professionals alike put their grilling skills to the test on Saturday.

The Graham County Historical Society hosted the inaugural Graham Rib Throwdown at the Graham County Fairgrounds last weekend.

“A great smoker here, the competition was really high,” said William Brucker, who finished ninth at Trippy Treasure Exotic ribs.

On Saturday, rib sales opened to the public at noon, and by 2:30 p.m., all but one of the 17 contestants had sold out.

Thatcher’s Andy Moore makes sure he gets all the meat from his Beefy Boys prepared ribs. – David Bell Photography/Gila Valley Central

The judges awarded SNS OG BBQ 1st place, Wildcat BBQ 2nd place, RxR BBQ 3rd place, Luton Toon BBQ 4th place and Smoke on the Water BBQ 5th place.

RxR BBQ was the people’s choice.

Appetizers and desserts were served to Friday attendees.

The event was a fundraiser for the construction of the new Graham County Museum in the old Stockmans Bank building on Main Street in Safford.

Harvey John, president of the Graham County Historical Society, said:

Swamp Puppies pitmaster Tyson Brown was working overtime in his booth to keep up with the demand for ribs. – David Bell Photography/Gila Valley Central

John added that in 2024 he will move the event to February and join forces with the Eastern Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association. Rib Throwdown shares a fairground space with the annual Gila Valley Fiddle Festival.

Saturday’s rib event also featured an indoor cornhole tournament, where Morenci’s back door slider team of Ray Holgin and Andrew Corona won the title with a perfect 5-0.