BY KENDRICK MARSHALL kmarshall@snc1.com
If the Kentucky Derby is the fastest two minutes in sports, the annual rib eating contest at Gurnee Days has to be the messiest two minutes in competitive eating.
That was the case as teams representing hometown organizations gorged on more than several pounds of ribs for bragging rights as champion of the seventh annual Ribfest Invitational at Viking Park sponsored by the Breakfast Exchange Club of Gurnee.
On Saturday, contestants representing the Gurnee Police Department, Gurnee Fire Department, Gurnee Park District, Warren-Newport Public Library, Gurnee School District 50, Warren Township Youth Services, Warren Township District 121, and the Gurnee Days Corporation whipped the large gathering of spectators into a frenzy as they wolfed down the ribs.
At the end of the day, the Gurnee Fire Department was the victor dethroning the Gurnee Police Department.
"This was unbelievable," said firefighter Barry Henby moments after finishing off his last rib with his face and head covered in grease and barbecue sauce. "I had never done this before. I am about to retire soon, so this was fun."
His teammate and fellow firefighter, Leon Lake, only had one thing on his mind as he dispatched nearly four pounds of ribs saturated with the finest barbecue sauce.
"I hate losing. I wanted to win," Lake said. We wanted to beat the cops."
As fire station cook, Lake became accustomed to preparing meals for himself and crew members.
Now, after winning his first eating contest, the firefighter said he can get used to the idea of having someone else do the cooking.
"It is great to finally bring home the trophy," Lake said. "That was our goal the whole time and we did it."
How would the participants celebrate the big win?
"I am going to take a shower and then get some dinner," Lake said. Ribs, perhaps?
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