It’s so close you can almost taste it.
The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook Off begins at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 2nd.
The best rib cookers in the Truckee Meadows are going head-to-head against competitors from around the world.
Before then, we caught up with Paul Mackay. He’s once again bringing Aussom Aussie BBQ to the competition.
"This is our 33rd year here at the Nugget,” Mackay says, “and we're grateful to be here at the Best in the West.”
Mackay and Aussom Aussie are back with a bevy of fruit-flavored ribs from down under.
“We have apple, orange, pineapple, tomato, and then we have a raspberry chipotle as well,” he says. “And then we have crazy hot for those who like a bit more spice."
Over three decades ago, Mackay brought his Australian barbecue to the U.S. for competitions, and he says he's collected 465 awards along the way.
“The competition was the draw. Come out and compete against the best and prove that Australian barbecue, while not that different, can actually compete and can showcase well,“ he says.
Aussom Aussie is one of over a dozen rib cookers in Sparks this week, but ribs aren't the only thing you'll find. Other vendors are cooking up everything from kettle corn to fried zucchini.
Live entertainment will take over the main stage nightly from 7 to 9 p.m. through Sunday, and from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
On the east end of the plaza, small shops sell you everything from custom prints to doggie fashion.
“We love this area, and we're always coming back for more shows,” Juliana Fabbri says.
Happy Doggie Happy Life started in Benicia, California, after Fabbri and her husband found a lackluster selection at local stores.
“During the pandemic, we were making masks. [We] had beautiful fabric and I couldn't find collars I like for my dog,” Fabbri says. “So I took some fabric, make some collars and Happy Doggie Happy Life was born right then. We didn't even realize we had a business and everything after that extended."
Everything the two sell is handmade, including collars, dresses, poop bag holders, and custom dish towels.
You can find Happy Dog Happy Life, Aussom Aussie, and dozens of other vendors at the Rib Cook Off starting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Victorian Square. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day through Sunday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, September 7.
