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The 37th Annual World Championship Barbeque Goat Cook-Off will be held Saturday at Richards Park in Brady. |
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Thursday, Sept. 1, 2010
Cookers stream to town for annual event
The 37th Annual World Championship Barbeque Goat Cook-Off officially kicks off with a welcome dance Friday night at the Richards Park Pavilion.
And, just as excited as Brady residents, Cook-Off enthusiasts and newcomers are to "Get Their Goat On," they'll be just as excited—if not more—to "get their dance on" as the annual cook-off boot scoot heads back to the downtown Brady square for the traditional street-dance.
A unique tradition in itself, Brady's World Championship Barbeque Goat Cook-Off began in 1973 as a fundraiser for the Jaycees. The Chamber of Commerce now coordinates the event. As the event has grown, many things have changed, but what has always remained constant is the world-renowned barbecued goat and the celebration of the community's agricultural heritage.
The goat market is a $2 million industry for McCulloch County, and there are approximately 20,000 goats in McCulloch County, which boasts a human population of less than 9,000. McCulloch County ranks among the top 20 counties in the nation for the number of goats produced.
For years, teams have gathered to pit their barbecuing skills against one another in this open cook-off. A full slate of 175 teams will once again battle it out for this year's bragging rights.
In addition to cooking goat, many teams choose to participate in the “Mystery Meat Challenge,” a category introduced a couple of years ago that continues to grow in popularity. Since each year's mystery product isn't revealed until the Friday night Welcome Party, participants have to be prepared for anything.
Other events and/or attractions Friday night include a washer pitching tournament and the annual welcome party/dance. The free Friday night welcome dance will feature live music from Landon Dodd and The Dancehall Drifters.
The misfortune of July Jubilee visitors will be the fortune of Cook-Off guests as the annual fireworks display—rescheduled due to inclement weather—gets underway just after dark at Richards Park.
Saturday morning will have folks hitting the ground running—literally—for the annual Goat Gallop 5K Fun Run and Walk.
Saturday also features the 33rd Annual Arts and Crafts Fair, a horseshoe and washer pitching tournament, live music by Landon Dodd and The Dancehall Drifters, game booths, food vendors and Kent Finlay’s Songwriter Circle featuring Adam Carroll, Big John Mills and Jordan Minor.
The day’s festivities will be capped off with live music in downtown Brady on the courthouse square.
This year features performances by Luke Olson, Gary P. Nunn and Kyle Park. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate with a cooler tag charge if folks BYOB. No glass bottles are allowed.
"This event draws thousands of people to Brady from all across the country and has made our small town something to talk about," said Kathi Masonheimer with the Chamber. "We are proud of our tradition and look forward to sharing it with you. Come visit the World Championship Barbeque Goat Cook-Off, and celebrate with us as we enjoy our 37th annual event this Labor Day weekend in Brady."
Early voting underway for
Sept. 18 mayor, council election
Early voting for the Sept. 18 special election for the mayor’s seat for the city of Brady and Place 3 on the Brady City Council began Wednesday and will run until Sept. 14.
Three candidates are on the ballot for the mayor’s seat, Gail Lohn, Joe Sanchez and Rey Garza.
The seat for city council is being sought by David Galindo who is on the ballot and is being challenged by write-in candidate James Stewart.
The city council seat on the ballot was held by Rey Garza who had to resign to run for the mayor’s seat, but continues to serve in a holdover capacity until the election decides who will fill his spot.
Early voting is conducted from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at city hall. Voter registration cards or a valid photo identification is required.
Extended voting hours from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday, Sept. 14 as well as on election day, Saturday, Sept. 18
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
Candidates speak at forum
By Neal Ulmer
A candidate forum for the 2010 Brady mayor and city council special election was held Tuesday evening at the Brady National Bank Community Room. Sponsored by KNEL radio and broadcast live on the local AM station, the forum gave candidates the opportunity to present their individual platforms.
Lynn Farris of KNEL was there to broadcast and emcee the forum.
Three candidates are running in the special election for mayor and two candidates are vying for the Place 3 city council seat.
Running for mayor of Brady are Rey Garza, Gail Lohn and Joe Sanchez and for the city council spot are David Galindo and write-in candidate James Stewart.
Stewart had submitted the proper documentation to declare himself as a write-in candidate for the city council seat.
According to the Brady City Charter, following Stewart’s recall last May, his name cannot appear on a ballot for a time period of two years from the date of recall, nor can he succeed himself in office. By declaring himself to be a write-in candidate, running for a council seat rather than the mayor’s seat, there is no conflict with the requirements or restrictions of the charter.
Candidates were asked by Farris to tell the audience who they were, why they would like you to vote for them and why they are qualified and the best person for the position.
Mayoral candidate Joe Sanchez went first and said the reason he ran for mayor was to help strive for a better community. He mentioned the cemetery and alleged that the rules and regulations are not being followed. He also said the city should not consider hunting the exotic animals at the lake. Instead of hunting he said they should be appreciated by enjoying them and taking photos of them.
Sanchez also had concerns with the water treatment plant; would like to bring in more business to Brady and see citizens committees from different neighborhoods to have equal representation from all over town.
Speaking second in the forum, Rey Garza said this is his third term to serve on the council and he spent one year as mayor pro tem.
“I have a good idea of what is going on and we have a good city council, everybody needs to work together, put a lot of these distractions behind us and go forward,” stated Garza. “We are a small community and need to get behind our council and it will take the whole council to work together to go forward. We need to get behind our mayor regardless of who it will be.”
The third candidate, Gail Lohn, told the crowd about herself and how she arrived at being a candidate for mayor. She told of spending time overseas with her family, had varied work experiences— such as she worked for a law firm, an independent oil company, a school district in accounting and served on a school board.
Her goals in regards to being a mayor “would be improving the job market in Brady by trying new and inventive ways to encourage new businesses to come to Brady, as well as the growth of businesses already here. Encourage those persons looking for work or retire or just a place to call home. I would like to approach each issue and opportunity with an open mind and without prior judgment and then work towards solutions together.”
Several questions were asked these candidates and each one got up and responded to the questions.
James Stewart was the first person to speak with regards to the race for Place 3 on the city council.
He first spoke of cleaning up the technical issues by stating he had checked with both state officials and City Attorney Susan Horton about running for city council as a write-in candidate. He stated that his doing so was not in any violation of the city charter.
He said he would work closely with the mayor and the city council and would like to see the ongoing projects through fruition.
He stated that the city needed to pursue updating the infrastructure and work with Brady ISD to utilize the old high school to help attract new businesses to the downtown square.
David Galindo was the last person to speak. He told a little bit about himself and his business. He said he would be prepared for any city council issues they would face.
Galindo stated he would ask questions and get information if he did not understand something. He would like to help work to improve the water system and to continue to expand the softball, little league and the aquatic park. He would like to amend the ordinance on the cemetery and help people with sewer problems.
Both Stewart and Galindo answered questions from the audience, which were written on note cards.
Farris closed out the candidate forum and reminded people they could vote early form Sept. 1-14 or go to the polling place in city hall on Sept. 18.
This week's football schedule:
JV will be in Grape Creek at 6:00 and our 9th will be at Clyde also at 6:00 this Thursday. Brady will be hosting two games in Bulldog Stadium Thursday—the Austin Westlake JV will be playing the Abilene Cooper JV at 5:00 and 6:30 at Bulldog Stadium Thursday. Two tradition rich schools bringing a total of four JV squads to battle it out on the gridiron.
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