Most people think that the highlight of Christmas on the River are the parades, the shows and fun. For several barbecuers from Alabama and beyond, however, the festival culminates with the crowning of the State Barbecue Championship at the city landing.

For the 24th straight year, this state’s barbecue champion was decided on the field at the city landing. An estimated 1,800 people came through the barbecue area on Friday night to meet the cooks and to sample some of their products.

On Saturday, 36 professional teams and 11 backyard teams put their best barbecue products out to be judged in one of the biggest barbecue competitions in the nation.

The final results were:

Overall: House of Q, grand champion, $1,000 prize; Smoking Triggers, reserve grand champion, $750 prize.

Professional brisket: Chix, Swine & Bovine, state champion; Tee Wayne’s Smokin’ Lips, second place; House of Q, third place; Smoking Triggers, fourth place; and Wild Bunch Butt Burners, fifth place.

Professional pork: Smoking Triggers, state champion; Jiggy Piggy, second place; Bama Boys, third place; Naheola Pride, fourth place; and Hawg Heaven, fifth place.

Professional pork ribs: House of Q, state champion; Uncle Chet’s BBQ, second place; Jiggy Piggy, third place; Tee Wayne’s Smokin’ Lips, fourth place; and Bad Backs & BBQ, fifth place.

Professional chicken: Smokin’ Butt Crew, state champion; Buttmasters, second place; House of Q, third place; Deep South BBQ (Long Dog’s Harvest Moon), fourth place; and Joe Beaz Blazin’ Butts & Ribs, fifth place.

Backyard ribs: Chuck Wagon, state champion; Air Gas Gashogs, second place; Dozier’s Delight, third place; Pork-A-Holics, fourth place; and Sweet Bonz Alabama, fifth place.

Sauce: Doc’s Ribs.