The 3^rd Annual Independence BBQ Cook-off wrapped up Saturday with over $4000 raised for 8-year-old Daniel who is fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Over 200 plates were sold and nine BBQ teams and 23 cornhole teams competed in the competitions Saturday.

13-year-old Kaiden Blake, of Tahlequah, OK, was grand champion overall. Blake, who is battling his own medical conditions, finished 1^st in both chicken and brisket, 4^th in both ribs and dessert and 6^th in beans. Reserve Grand Champion went to Chad Commons, of Pittsburg. Commons, of Grilla Pit BBQ, finished second in beans, chicken, ribs and brisket and finished 6^th in dessert. The 4^th Annual Independence BBQ Cook-off is scheduled for April 22^nd, 2023.