The first annual Dunwoody BBQ and Community Festival took place on September 7&8. The word first applies in many ways:

• The first time we attempted a competitive BBQ
• The first time we attempted to put on a major event in such a small amount of time
• The first time we worked with KCBS
• The first time we worked with a professional stage and sound system
• The first time we provided live bands to the public
• The first time we combined so many service offerings in one event
• The first time we provided a multi-day event

And, I’m sure there are other firsts. But here’s a more important list:

• An outstanding crew of volunteers – We went into this with a child’s proportion of naiveite. We didn’t know what we didn’t know. And yet, we pulled it off.
• An outstanding crew of leaders – Jack Sparks, Hoshi Daruwalla, Bob O’Brien, Rick Otness, John Hall, Dabney Daniels, Bill Woulfin and Jeannette Prince did a fabulous job. They were on the first horses in the charge into battle and they emerged victorious on the other side.
• An outstanding team of operational support – Luis and Tania Lopez were instrumental with graphic design, document production and web development. Anne Glenn, as always, was brilliant in her designs and vendor connections.
• Attitudes – The Rotary Club of Dunwoody put on a show. It was hard, hot, exhausting. For some it was painful. It was stressful. But it was also fun and that was the feeling that showed. People serving food, people selling tickets, people helping people; we did it all and we did it with dignity with a smile on our face.
• The bands were great, the food was delicious, the beer was cold. I ask you, “What can be better than that”?

Dunwoody BBQ & Community Festival (DBCF) is now a real world happening of a conception from 4 months ago. Thank you all for participating. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

The September 28 meeting is a club assembly. During that meeting we’ll share all details for future planning discussions.

Rick Woods