From left, Barb and Bill Mongeon are presented with a congratulatory banner by Crossborder Blues, Brews and Que organizer Kathy O'Keefe earlier this evening. (HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

ENP STAFF REPORTS
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HARTLAND — The Hartland Vol. Fire Co. was presented this evening with a banner acknowledging their success in the first annual "Firemen's Rib Throwdown."

The BBQ competition was part of the fourth annual Crossborder Blues, Brews and Que, which took place June 14 and 15 in Wilson.

The competition between Hartland, Rapids and South Lockport volunteer fire companies was kind of a last-minute addition to the yearly BBQ festival organized by Kathy O'Keefe, suggested by one of the members of the Rapids Vol. Fire Co.

While only three departments took place in this year's contest, O'Keefe said she expects it to grow.

Hartland firefighter Bill Mongeon said he looks forward to the opportunity to beat even more fire departments next year. His spicy BBQ ribs took top prize in the showdown. Or were they his ribs? He got a glare from one Barb Mongeon when taking credit. Either way, they were representative of the department, Bill having been with Hartland for six years and Barb joining the company more recently.

Bill Mongeon said he's been cooking BBQ for 20 years — seven of them competitively. However, ribs are not his specialty, he said. He's much more comfortable with brisket and pork.

Also, he usually uses a sweet and spicy sauce, but this time around switched it up: "We decided to break the rules and we went spicy hot with it."

Whatever he did, it worked. It earned the department accolades and a banner to hang up in the fire house.

And it emboldened him to offer a challenge: "I do challenge all the Niagara County and Erie County firemen to enter next year."

O'Keefe said she's sure there will be a next year. "We're going to keep having it because it was fun."
The Crossborder Blues, Brew and Que festival takes place yearly during Father's Day weekend.

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