An evening of Har-B-Q

It was just after 6 p.m. and the centerpiece of this year’s Har-B-Q — an ice sculpture weighing more than 300 pounds — had just been set in place. Like most objects at the event, it didn’t take long for the sculpture to be put to use involving alcohol. Attendees lined up for liberal pours of Cactus Juice, Hot Damn and several mystery liquors. “Do you know how frosty cold that is?” One shirtless man said before volunteering for a second round. Ninety minutes later, the same man was collecting a huge engraved trophy for best beef.

Har-B-Q is supposedly a barbecue competition but as two competitors confided, it really is about the drinking. Not that the teams didn’t care about the meats and sides, but they were mostly there to have a good time — and to ensure everybody else had a good time as well.

The crowd was the happiest and the friendliest of any barbecue event I’ve been too, not to mention the fullest.