It’s OK if you’ve got that napkin hanging out of your shirt collar — you’ll need it.
Three local mortgage companies, Peoples Mortgage, The Money Store, and NOVA Home Loans, are bringing the Grills Gone Wild BBQ Rib Cook-Off to The Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch from on 2 – 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.
The amateur backyard barbecue competitors will be grilling up rib samples and barbecue pork sandwiches, along with beer, live music from Jay Faircloth, and some magic and sideshow entertainment from the Strange Family Circus.
Tickets are $46.50 per person and include:
- One drink ticket
- One food ticket towards a Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich, with a side of beans, coleslaw, and a bottle of water
- Six rib samples
- Magic show from the Strange Family Circus
- Raffle prizes
- Whiskey sampling from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
- People’s choice vote
- Live music from Jay Faircloth starting at 6 p.m.
The 2017 champions haven’t had enough yet, and are returning to reclaim their grilling titles.
Last year’s first place Judges Choice Rodney Miller, Grand Champion Sean Denlinger, third place Judges Choice Tim Stoner, will all be back with the newcomers Rich Martinez and Curtis Ruhlman.
Participating Breweries/Distilleries
- Button Brew House
- Dillinger Brewing Company
- Elgin Distillery
- Sentinel Peak Brewing Company
- Three Wells Distilling Company
Proceeds from the competition will support the local non-profit organization Tu Nidito.
The Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch is located at 6801 N. Camino Verde. For more information, call (520) 603-7000 or visit grillsgonewildaz.com.
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Article written by:

Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.














