White Rock Que. Photography by Rasy Ran.
White Rock Que (WRQ) returns to our neighborhood on Nov. 14 for its 13th annual barbecue competition to help support the Swiss Avenue-based Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC).
The competition will take place at the KayCee Club off East Northwest Highway from 4-8 p.m. and will feature pitmasters competing for barbecue titles, including the People’s Choice Champion, which attendees help determine.
The nonprofit competition began following a series of sexual assault cases that affected the neighborhood in 2013. One of White Rock Que’s original organizers was personally impacted by the incidents, according to Corie Pierce, a WRQ team member and DARCC board member.
“DARCC believes that [sexual assault] is not an individual problem, but sexual assault affects the community,” Pierce said. “It affects everybody you know.”
What started as a backyard barbecue competition has grown into a full-scale event that has raised more than $1 million for DARCC.
Attendees can enjoy all-you-can-eat barbecue, live music, beer from Oak Highlands Brewery (OHB), wine and cocktails. A panel of judges will select winners in brisket, ribs and a jackpot category chosen by each competing team.
WRQ has partnered with OHB for several years, previously hosting the competition at the brewery. However, scheduling conflicts prompted organizers to move this year’s event to the KayCee Club.
“We partnered with Oak Highlands Brewery and have used their location for many years, and they’re going to be our main beer provider still this year,” Pierce said. “We couldn’t get the dates to work out with [OHB], so we’re over here at the KayCee.”
All ticket proceeds and donations benefit DARCC, supporting survivors and their families through free counseling, clinical advocacy, legal support and other services. DARCC also works with schools and community organizations to educate the public and prevent sexual assault.
