Boots & BBQ To Be Smokin'

Not only is Mayfest in full swing, it's a busy weekend at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore. There is horse racing, The Preakness simulcast and Rotary of Claremore is holding its "Boots & BBQ" cook-off.

News On 6 reporter Rick Wells talked to a couple of local guys who have put together maybe the most unusual BBQ rig ever.

It looks like a fire truck, but while most fire trucks are putting out fires, this one starts some.

The old expression says "where there's fire there's smoke." Their rig is not the fire department it's the smoke department.

Garry Byars and Keith Trost are part of the competitive BBQ team "Boys Can Smoke." A converted 1963 Seagraves fire truck is their smoker.

"The people that had it, it was a volunteer fire department," said Garry Byars.

The conversion took a little over four months. The project took all their spare time, but they say their wives were very understanding.

"They threw up their hands and said tell me when you're done," said Keith Trost.

This is only the fifth competition they've entered with it, but it's very popular wherever they go.

"We took People's Choice in Jenks," said Byars.

It's an attention getter and every bit of space once used for fire equipment is now all about cooking. One locker holds cleaning supplies, one holds the spices and another holds a double burner.

The smoker is up top where the water tank used to be. There's a warming box and a charcoal grill up there too.

They have sponsors; they sell t-shirts and other gear to support their smoking habit.

Will Rogers Downs is on Highway 20, east of Claremore. Boots & BBQ opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Get there early, the food tends to go quickly.