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We're a group of neighbors in Lake Highlands who put our shared passions to good work! To date we have donated nearly $500,000 to Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.
These families were personally impacted by a series of sexual assaults in the Lake Highlands area in 2013 and saw first-hand the impact DARCC can make on survivors, families, and friends as one of the founders is a survivor. These BBQ-loving friends decided to turn their neighborhood competition into an event that makes an impact.
Team WRQ: Carol and Brian Blakeman, Kristie Boggs and Rob Legg, Amber and Nate Kotschi, Tricia and Dustin McCoy, Corie and Brian Pierce, and Elizabeth and John Pierce.
We are committed to supporting the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center through good BBQ and good times. DARCC is an organization providing compassionate support to individuals impacted by sexual violence. If you would like to know more, please visit their website at dallasrapecrisis.org.
2022 - Another "best year yet"! Sponsors engaged in new ways and our Friends of WRQ came out to show their support to raise $125,000 for DARCC! It's all about Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Barbecue!
2021 - The best year yet despite the challenges COVID threw our way. You guys stepped up yet again and we donated $100,000 to DARCC! We celebrated WRQ: Where Beer and BBQ Have Always Been Essential in a big way at Oak Highlands Brewery. The competition was fierce and we're looking forward to seeing what magic the cooks come up with in 2022.
2020 - A year to forget! Unfortunately, like many other events scheduled for Spring 2020, COVID-19 forced us to cancel. We were able to host a smaller outdoor event during Oktoberfest that allowed the WRQ team to fire up their pits and show off their smoking talent! You guys delivered even in the midst of the pandemic and we were able to support DARCC through a much smaller event and donated $27,000 to support the fight to end sexual assault.
2019 - Yet another banner year with over 1,800 at Oak Highlands Brewery raising $80,000 for Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center. Did you binge-watch Friday Night Lights?! If so, you would have loved the theme - Brisket Forever. Clear Eyes, Full Bellies, Can't Move. Thanks Tami and Eric Taylor for the inspiration and thank YOU ALL for the incredible show of support!
2018 - Our best year yet. Pits were set-up at Oak Highlands Brewery and the event was sold out! Royals, Ribs & Rubs was attended by over 1,500 and $50,000 was raised for DARCC! Crowns were awarded for blind judging in brisket, pork and ribs, the crowd selected a People's Choice winner and one lucky team walked away Grand Champion.
2017 - WRQ set-up at Oak Highlands Brewery again for WRQ 5: Peace. Love. BBQ on May 20th! Nine teams competed for the coveted People's Choice trophy in addition to three awards in blind judging for brisket, pork, and ribs. Over 1,500 attended and $30,000 was raised for our friends at DARCC!
2016 - WRQ moved out of the neighborhood and opened the event to the entire community. Over 1,200 friends attended our WRQ BBQ Caucus hosted by Oak Highlands Brewery. Continuing our commitment to DARCC we exceeded our expectations and raised $20,000 for this organization.
2015 - WRQ upped the ante for the Summer Pro Am by adding four more cooks in a ribs division and fundraising for an organization we support. Over 200 friends attended and WRQ raised more than $5,000 for DARCC.
2014 - Over 100 friends came together to vote on which of the four Pitmasters would hold bragging rights for WRQ's Spring Invitational.
2013 - Four neighbors set out on a mission to uncover who had the best brisket. Despite rain, really heavy rain, 40 friends had a great time at WRQ's Fall Classic.
Eat well and make a difference.