Lick your lips for the annual rib cook-off in Sparks

SPARKS " The scent of smoky barbecue will be wafting over downtown Sparks as 25 rib cookers compete in the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-off.

The six-day event sponsored by John Ascuaga's Nugget, now in its 20th year, begins Wednesday and runs through Labor Day.

Besides bragging rights, the contest includes more than $14,000 in prize money. Carson City's Carson City BBQ will be competing in the Best Sauce category. They won Best Sauce in 2004 and People's Choice in 2003 at the Best in the West Rib Cook-off, among many other awards.

Famous Dave's BBQ of Minnetonka, Minn., is the two-time defending champion.

This year's event also will feature a "running of the pigs" on Friday, followed by a "presidential" pig race to try to predict the outcome of this year's presidential election.