JASON SETNYK
A free for spectators to attend Kansas City-style barbecue competition is set to bring international flavour to Cornwall while raising funds for a local women’s shelter.
“Smoke on the Seaway,” hosted by Mat Drouin, takes place May 9 and 10 at the Cornwall Civic Complex parking lot along the St. Lawrence River. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the event will feature professional and backyard teams from across Ontario, Quebec, and potentially the United States, competing for a chance to qualify for the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
Drouin said the event has evolved from a local backyard competition into a professional showcase. “We decided to transform that from a backyard barbecue competition into a professional barbecue competition sanctioned by the KCBS,” he said, noting the organization is “the largest sanctioning body of barbecue competition in the world.” He added the event has already reached a milestone. “The winner of our competition will be entered into a draw to compete at the Jack Daniel’s Invitational, which is basically the most sought-after barbecue competition in the world.”
Proceeds from the weekend support Maison Baldwin House, a local shelter for women and children. Executive director Debbie Fortier said funds will continue to support a new initiative. “The funds will also assist Baldwin House, but they’ll also be assisting our new facility,” she said, referring to a five-bed residential program for women exiting human trafficking.
Saturday’s public festival includes a People’s Choice chicken wing competition, a kids’ “Meatball Challenge,” live music, food trucks, and a Mother’s Day vendor market. Danielle McCormick, public educator and volunteer coordinator, said the event aims to be both fun and impactful. “It’s going to be an awesome barbecue-themed food festival,” she said. “We will have competitor chicken wings that will be judged, and we’re also bringing back the kids’ competition where youth 10 to 16 will have the opportunity to cook meatballs.”
Community involvement extends beyond the grill. A motorcycle show-and-shine organized by For Bikers By Bikers is expected to draw significant crowds. Representative Alain ‘Cowboy’ Bussières said turnout could be strong. “If we get good weather, I’d say between 100 and 200 motorcycles,” he said.
Local businesses are also contributing including Cardinal Meets, Jessie Cardinal said supporting the cause was an easy decision. “We support the Baldwin House in everything they do. Any opportunity we have to do so, we’ll be by their side,” she said, noting the company is supplying meat for the youth competition, plus chicken wings.
Sunday shifts to the KCBS-sanctioned competition, where teams compete in chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket, with tightly scheduled judging windows. Certified judging classes will also be offered, aimed at growing local participation in competitive barbecue.
Organizers say the long-term goal is to establish Cornwall as a major destination for competitive barbecue. “I would love to see us eventually host the largest barbecue competition in Canada,” Drouin said. “We’ve got a ways to go, but this is a great stepping stone.”
With fundraising, food, and family activities combined, the event is positioned to draw both serious competitors and community support, all while advancing the work of Maison Baldwin House.
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