Saturday marked the first time the Cotton Pickin’ BBQ Cook-off was open to the community.

The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce event featured music performances, food trucks, a beer garden and children’s zone and welcomed approximately 500 people.

Andrea Owensby, president of the chamber, said the event was a success.

“For the first year open to the community, I am really happy,” she said. “Our vendors did well, our food trucks did well, and the band really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

The competition welcomed 28 professional teams and 33 backyard teams for the cook-off.

Madison’s Smoke Me Silly placed first in the professional category, and Thin Blue Swine placed first in the backyard category.

In years past, the event served solely as a competition. This year, Owensby said she wanted to make it a community event. “This was the first year for beer, food trucks and music. People left excited and asking what would be next,” Owensby said.

Owensby said the chamber has plans to expand on the event next year.

“This year was purposely small,” Owensby said. “I wanted to make sure everyone left successful. I feel good about where we are with it, and I am excited because there is room for growth. We are already planning next year.”

The event was opened to the community in response to requests after previous events. Owensby said opening the event allowed it to bring in tourism and increase quality of life for the community.

“Pitmasters are more tourism, and the food trucks and the fun is more quality of life,” Owensby said. “That is what these events are about.

“This is just the start. We have listened, and we want to make this event the best it can be.”