A bbq event heated up the Flathead on Saturday, as cookers and fans made their way to Whitefish for the Stumptown BBQ Smoke-Off. The event is the biggest of its kind in Montana, with $8,000 worth of prizes to be doled out to winners.

Folks came from as far as Calgary to compete. Saturday’s competition had chefs submitting their best huckleberry bbq concoctions. On Sunday, they’ll submit pork, chicken, brisket and ribs to the judge’s table. NBC Montana caught up with one of the organizers, a co-owner of Whitefish’s Piggyback BBQ. She says Montana bbq is a force to be reckoned with.

“Bbq is sort of taking over,” said Missy Laughlin. “You see a bbq competition on TV, that’s what this is like. This is a real deal, so these guys are serious.”

The event runs until 7:30 pm on Sunday.