COEUR d ALENE - Barbeque smoke on the water and wildfire smoke in the sky made for a hazy cook-off in the Lake City this weekend.

The Smoke on the Water barbecue competition was held for the second year Saturday and Sunday in McEuen Park.

The weekend's events welcomed visitors from around the Northwest to Coeur d'Alene for live music, vendors and a barbecue cook-off. The competition was an Idaho state championship event presented by the Panhandle Parks Foundation and featured 27 professional barbecue teams vying for a piece of the $5,000 purse.

Smoke on the Water is a Pacific Northwest BBQ Association event and the grand champion secures an automatic draw to the Jack Daniels World BBQ Championship in Lynchburg, Tenn., in October.

Coeur d'Alene resident Taylar McClure and her boyfriend, Tyler Kuisti of Coeur d'Alene, attended the event last year and were excited for the weekend's celebration.

McClure said it was tasting the barbecue that brought them back this year, but she truly loves the atmosphere of the park and the live music all weekend.

"It's refreshing to see stuff going on here for so many different age groups," McClure said. "This layout is much more open this year."

Kuisti said he is glad the event was held in McEuen Park.

"It's much more convenient, much easier to access," Kuisti said. "With it being downtown there's more options for stuff to do around here."

The smoke from the many wildfires in the region filled the air throughout the city, but the sweet smell of smoky barbecue blanketed the park during the competition.

Jay Bremner of Limp Brizkit BBQ in Post Falls attempted to wow the judges with his master barbecuing talents. Last year, Bremner won first place in the ribs category and fifth place with his beef brisket. He has been competing on the barbecue circuit for five years. He said the event in McEuen is one of his favorites because it gives him a chance to shine for his local crowd.

Steve Billingsley of Coeur d'Alene said he brought his wife and two children to feast on barbecue while showing support for a family friend. Billingsley's brother and family from Seattle joined a neighbor who was also competing in the cook-off.

Bremner, who hoped to pull out a win in one or more categories this year, waited patiently near the end of the day Sunday for the awards ceremony. He said he was happy to be a part of the event and was already looking forward to next year.

"Panhandle Parks Foundation has really taken care of us today, it's been wonderful," Bremner said. "What could you possibly be doing that's better than a barbecue?"

Results were not available at press time, but information about the Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition will be listed on www.panhandleparksfoundation.org or www.pnwba.com.