Nearly 1,000 attend 2026 Oconto ‘Blowin’ the Doors Off’ barbeque

Nearly 1,000 attend 2026 Oconto ‘Blowin’ the Doors Off’ barbeque
Overall champions, Vest Ranch of Mullen, serve their barbeque to those in attendance (courtesy photo)

OCONTO, Neb.— Nearly 1,000 people went through the gates at the Oconto Volunteer Fire Department’s ‘Blowin’ the Doors Off’ barbeque this past Saturday in Oconto. They were treated to the barbeque work put forth by seven grill master teams.

Vest Ranch of Mullen took the overall competition crown, followed by Double D’s of Hershey in second and Nelson BBQ in third. Contributing to their overall win was a placement of second in specialty competition, second in pulled pork, and first place in beef brisket.

In their overall runner-up effort, Double D’s won the specialty competition and the beans competition, while coming in third in pulled pork, sauce, and beef brisket.

See full competition results at the end of this story

Raffles were held to support the Oconto VFD outside of event ticket sales. Bill Cook won the Traeger grill, Tod Mundhenke won the shotgun and the Grocery Kart gift card, JB Ross was picked as the winner of the Henry rifle, and Monte Dodd took home the Mills Hardware gift card.

Specialty
1st: Double D’s
2nd: Vest Ranch
3rd: Nelson BBQ

Pulled Pork
1st: New Guys BBQ
2nd: Vest Ranch
3rd: Double D’s

Beans
1st: Double D’s
2nd: Ribzilla
3rd: Nelson BBQ

Pork Ribs
1st: New Guys
2nd: Nelson BBQ
3rd: 3 Amigos

Sauce
1st: Nelson BBQ
2nd: Ribzilla
3rd: Double D’s

Beef Brisket
1st: Vest Ranch
2nd: New Guys
3rd: Double D’s

OVERALL
1st: Vest Ranch
2nd: Double D’s
3rd: Nelson BBQ

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