CRESTVIEW — An estimated 15,000 people attended the 10th annual Triple B Festival on Saturday, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce organizers said.

A day and a night of drenching storms dumped almost 5 inches of rain on the Crestview area prior to the festival, but fair weather allowed Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cook-off attendees, pit masters and organizers to enjoy the event.

Keep reading for a list of the winners!

"I felt like a porpoise all (Friday) night," Possum Ridge BBQ pit master Rick Plante said. "It was nasty, miserable, windy and wet. We couldn't keep the heat up on the grill."

But by the time the Crestview Young Marines presented the colors and J.R. Lewis sang the "Star Spangled Banner" to launch the festival, fair weather put everyone into a good mood.

Good weather draws crowd

As the day progressed, more and more people started crowding Main Street and lining up for barbecue.

Pigstickers owner Mark Thompson said the weather has always cooperated with the Triple B as long as he has been involved with the event.

Since the Triple B changed locations from the Old Spanish Trail Park to Main Street, crowds have steadily increased, he said.  

Crestview residents Kevin and Joyce Gravois brought their dog, Ruxbee, to Main Street. The couple, who regularly attend the event to listen to bluegrass music, said they did not mind occasionally cloudy conditions.

"Actually the clouds worked in our favor by providing shade," Joyce said.  

Tom Moody, who serves on the festival planning committee, agreed.

"Out of all of the Triple B events I have done … the weather (Saturday was) the best it could possibly be," he said. 

'Having a great time'

From bounce houses to two stages of lively music, there was plenty for the crowd to see, hear and do — and eat. There also was dancing in the streets as "Latin American Idol" performer Amid sang.

After enjoying the food and children's activities, first-time attendees Eric Balbo and his daughter, Kadence, 7, are considering coming back for next year's event.

"We (were) having a great time," Eric said.

Moody and event chair Christie Cadenhead pronounced this year's event a success.

"It was wildly successful because we were all expecting rain," she said.

Cadenhead was also impressed with how long people stayed.

"We had a larger crowd (stay) for a longer portion," she said.

2014 People’s Choice Winner: The Little Smokehouse

Grand Champion: Poverty Hill Smokers

Reserve Champion: Kickin' Ash 68

Chicken:

1st: Kickin' Ash 68

2nd: Poverty Hill Smokers

3rd: Holly Smokes

Ribs:

1st: Poverty Hill Smokers

2nd: Funny Farm BBQ

3rd: The Little Smokehouse

Pork:

1st: Poverty Hill Smokers 

2nd: Hub City Smokehouse

3rd: Kickin' Ash 68

Brisket:

1st: Jackson BBQ

2nd: Kickin' Ash 68

3rd: Poverty Hill Smokers

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Quadruple B! Blackwater, Bluegrass, Barbecue and Blue skies draw an estimated 15,000 attendees

CRESTVIEW — After a day and a night of tremendous storms dumped almost 5 inches of rain on the Crestview area, blue skies greeted Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cookoff Festival attendees, pitmasters and organizers this morning.

Participants in the barbecue contest, who set up and started cooking Friday night, endured a night that began fair but rapidly turned inclement.

"I felt like a porpoise all night," Possum Ridge BBQ pitmaster Rick Plante said. "It was nasty, mierable, windy and wet. We couldn't keep the heat up on the grill."

But by the festival's 10 a.m. start, fair weather put everyone into a good mood, and as the morning wore on, more and more people started crowding Main Street and queuing up for mouthwatering barbecue.

From bounce houses to two stages of lively music, there was plenty for the crowd to see, hear and do — and eat.

SEE PHOTOS of today's Triple B festival here>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Blue skies greet 10th annual Triple B festivalgoers

CRESTVIEW — This week's Friends of the Library Book Sale could be the last one set at the Crestview Public Library.  

 Moving the sale to a larger location has become necessary, event organizer Dot Moxcey said.

 "We are just getting so packed; people can't hardly move," she said.

The bi-annual book sale features 35 categories — including fiction and non-fiction, humor and romance, among others — in addition to movies, audio books and puzzles that usually sell for $1 or less.     

Previous book sales had such large inventory that selections had to be moved outside, so it is "more than likely" the last time the event will take place inside the library's meeting room, Moxcey said.

The Warriors Hall auditorium could be the future location, event organizers said of the sale, whose proceeds benefit the Crestview Public Library's needs.

"Whatever the library staff needs, we try to get it for them," Moxcey said. "We have got all kinds of stuff over the years."

Past fundraisers have helped pay for library artwork and equipment, along with materials for children's activities.  

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Friends of the Library Book Sale

WHEN: Early bird sale is 5-8 p.m. April 4. Regular sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 and 6.

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive

COST: Regular sale is free; a $2 admission fee applies during the early bird sale for non-friends members. Non-members can join at the door.   

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friends offer final book sale at Crestview library

Based on the results of a recent speed study, the Florida Department of Transportation has increased the speed limit from 45 MPH to 55 MPH on State Road 4 in Baker between Keyser Road and U.S. Highway 90.

The speed limit has been increased from 40 MPH to 45 MPH from west of Old Brown Road to U.S. 90.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling.

For more Florida Department of Transportation District Three information follow the Northwest Florida FDOT Twitter feed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Speed increase now in effect for Baker's State Road 4

Paving operations on State Road 20, between Roberts Drive and the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector, resume Sunday, March 30.

Motorists can expect lane restrictions Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. until mid-May. 

For more information regarding the Florida Department of Transportation District Three, visit the organization's Twitter page.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Paving operations resume on State Road 20

NICEVILLE —  Northwest Florida State College’s PRIME Time will host a Volunteer Day 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 in the Student Services and Student Activities Centers, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

Representatives from NWFSC programs, Okaloosa Walton Medical Reserve Corps, Guardian Ad Litem and other local nonprofits will answer questions about volunteer opportunities.

Call Laura Schultze, NWFSC Professional and Continuing Education, at 729-6084, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF State College PRIME Time organization presents Volunteer Day opportunities

BAKER — Baker Lions Club members seek vendors to operate booths for the April 5 Spring Fling.

Local businesses, particularly those that sell homemade products, can contact club president Joyce Cosson for an application. April 1 is the application deadline.

The Spring Fling, which begins at 9 a.m., will feature an antique cars display and live bluegrass, country and gospel music, including a performance from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church's Mountain Movers Band. And event organizers want to add more family-friendly entertainment acts, Cosson said. 

Food options available for purchase will include fried fishcooked by club members, Cajun food and Chinese items from Golden Buffet in Crestview.  

Residents can attend a pancake breakfast prior to the Spring Fling from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the nearby Gator Cafe. From there, attendees have a short distance to travel to the Baker Block Museum for festivities.

"The main thing is that this is for the community," Cosson said.

Event proceeds will help provide free eye examinations for Baker area residents. The Lions Club regularly provides screenings at Baker School and local events.

Did you know?

The Baker Lions Club canceled last year's Spring Fling due to a scheduling conflict with the Triple B: Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue Cook-off in downtown Crestview, club president Joyce Cosson said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: The Baker Lions Club's Spring Fling

WHEN:  Booths open 9 a.m. April 5

WHERE: Baker Block Museum, 1307 Georgia Ave., Baker

COST: $5 for pancake breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Gator Cafe on Highway 4

DETAILS: Interested vendors can contact Joyce Cosson, 537-2491, for applications and pricing.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Lions Club seeks vendors for April Spring Fling

CRESTVIEW — Velma K. Conyers celebrated her 101st birthday surrounded by five generations of family, friends and fellow Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church members.

Members of the J.R.L. Conyers Masonic Lodge, named for Velma Conyers' late husband, and the Velma K. Conyers Chapter 7 Order of the Eastern Star joined in the celebration.

Mayor David Cadle marked the occasion by issuing a proclamation recognizing Conyers' contributions to the community.

Conyers has been a Mt. Zion member since 1926. She sang in the choir and, among many other activities, baked the Communion bread and dressed the church on Communion Sundays.

In 2000, the Eastern Star's local chapter, which she joined when she was 18, was named in honor of her service. Conyers was the chapter's matron for 46 years.

Conyers, the daughter of Charlie and Hattie G. Jones, moved to Crestview when she was 8. She married James Robert Lee Conyers On March 31, 1929.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woman celebrates 101st birthday with family, church members