St. Pius Cooking Team Missing from International Bar-B-Q Festival [VIDEO]

The sights, smells and sounds of the 39^th Owensboro International Bar-B-Q Festival will be taking over downtown this weekend, but one staple cooking team will be missing that’s participated for all 39 years.

Last year they won the Team Spirit Award and 3^rd place for their Mutton. They were also Grand Champions winning the ‘Governor’s Cup” two times. Many have said that their burgoo is worth waiting in line for hours to get by the gallon.

That's why everyone is so disappointed that St. Pius X Catholic Church will be missing this year for the first time in BBQ Festival history.

I had a chance to talk to Bob Freels, the team captain for St. Pius X Catholic Church, and he explained in a simple sentence why they’ll be absent at the festival this year.

“It’s just hard to get enough volunteers and we’re all getting older now for the hours that it takes,” said Freels.

Basically, the cooking teams start firing the pits on Thursday and work day and night through Saturday to bring you mouth-watering burgoo, chicken and pork. It's a lot of work indeed!

These teams will be participating this weekend so you can still plan on getting your fill of delicious BBQ all while helping area churches and various charities!

St. Mary Magdalene, last year’s Grand Champions, will return along with Lourdes, Blessed Mother, Precious Blood, Gospel Community Church and a crowd favorite, St. Mary of the Woods, will be back, but not competing.

The great BBQ is a big reason why we were voted 3rd Best in the 2016 Best BBQ Festival in the US competition sponsored by USA Today!

We can't wait to see you at the 39^th Owensboro International Bar-B-Q Festival!