NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Main Street was blocked off for barbecue and boxcars on Friday. 

 

The brisket contest actually started at about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday night, as some smokers — like the North Adams Fire Department — fired up their charcoal for the long cooking process. 

 

"The teams have been cooking up a storm since 11 o'clock last night. They've been having so much fun," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "I believe the Fire Department did breakfast this morning with breakfast sandwiches. Then Dough Boys had pizza this afternoon. So even if you're not able to participate tonight, just walking by, people have been eating."

 

The event had been scheduled for last Sunday but postponed after an early Nor'easter dumped rain over the region. 

 

At Monument Square, cars were lifted onto a contraption constructed by McCann Technical School students that would give the racers in the two age groups a boost as they traveled down the hill to a large blow-up finish line in front of the Mohawk Theater.

 

Waiting for them was Police Lt. Anthony Beverly with a "certified LiDAR unit," which he said recorded top speeds of 14 mph for the winners of both age categories.

 

"Our goal is we want everybody to make it across the finish line. Remember last year we lost some people," said Macksey. "My hope is I don't have to push anybody this year."

 

Several cars had some unfortunate incidents, breaking down on the course and at least one needed a mayoral push to keep going. 

 

There were more contestants in the younger group, which went through several rounds before Emelia Rustin emerged as the winner. Emelia's car, sporting her name as an Aruba license plate, wings and a "motor," stayed together if not always straight. 

 

Randall Blackmer won the older age group, but didn't think it was quite fair because "both my competitors cars broke."

 

After the award ceremony, attention turned to the brisket challenge between the North Adams Fire Department, North Adams Police Department, Adams Police Department, and Northern Berkshire EMS.

 

The competition ran out of people's choice ballots with 150 distributed and a panel of judges taste tested the brisket, sauces and sides. Judges were Williamstown Fire Chief Jeffrey Dias, North Adams City Councilors Lisa Blackmer and Bryan Sapienza and Chief Procurement Officer Thomas Peterson, and Andrew Giarolo and Boone Alexander of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

 

North Berkshire EMS took home the trophy for best overall by the judges, though Adams Police Department had the best brisket, according to the tally. North Adams Fire Department won the People's Choice Award and their choice for best brisket; North Adams Police had the best sides.