Barbecue lovers got to watch competitive barbecue teams display their culinary skills Aug. 19 and 20 at the BBQ Fly-In on the River festival in Excelsior Springs. After previously holding the event at the Excelsior Springs Memorial Airport, the annual event returned this year to the downtown streets of Excelsior. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), the 22nd annual event drew 54 teams. The event not only drew those who cook meats, but also prepare drinks, pasta and desserts. “Having the BBQ contest back on Broadway in downtown Excelsior Springs after two years of hosting at the airport for COVID precautions was amazing. The energy that circulated throughout downtown was exhilarating,” said Lyndsey Baxter, executive director of the Downtown Excelsior Partnership. “This contest has grown to feature some of the best competition KCBS BBQ teams in the nation.” “This year, we hosted four of the top five, six of the top 10 and 10 of the top 25 teams…