Stagecoach 2009: Scenes from the BBQ

BBQ competitors dress up their tents to reflect the personality of their meaty offerings. Pictured, All Hogs Go to Heaven.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

The Tex-A-Cue team had one of the weekend’s best trailers.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

They named their piggy 1953 Airstream, Lucille.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

A detail shot of the tent at Rib Ticklers, which was voted No. 1 in the state last year.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Mark Barfknecht dishes out pulled pork for Cowboy Way BBQ.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

The When Pigs Fly BBQ tent.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Neil Strawder poses with his pulled pork barbecue at Stagecoach on Sunday.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

A giant pudgy pig kept the crowd entertained during Stagecoach’s barbecue competition.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Pat Gram of Pit Stop BBQ. Last year she catered for Stagecoach headliners the Eagles, this year she chose to compete for the public’s favor.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Road Kill BBQ sported one of the competitions most creative get-ups. A shack, train grill, possum cooker and a couple of mobile pigs provided the eye candy while Terry Archer grilled the meats for BBQ chef Keith Kersoli.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Road Kill BBQ sported one of the competitions most creative get-ups. A shack, train grill, possum cooker and a couple of mobile pigs provided the eye candy while Terry Archer (pictured) grilled the meats for BBQ chef Keith Kersoli.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

Road Kill BBQ sported one of the competitions most creative get-ups. A shack, train grill, possum cooker and a couple of mobile pigs provided the eye candy while Terry Archer grilled the meats for BBQ chef Keith Kersoli.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

This pig has nipples: The fun sign for Big Mista’s Barbecue.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

A detail shot of pulled pork.  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

The hot waffle and ice cream sandwich -- what an invention!  (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)