HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The aroma of grilled meats and the sounds of saxophones and funky beats filled Founders Square in downtown Hopkinsville during this year’s Squealin’ on the Square. Local teams put up their best barbecue against each other for bragging rights, cash prizes and trophies.

Out of six teams that competed, Team Hopkinsville Fire Department won both first-place prizes for “Best Ribs” and “Best Pork Chop” during this year’s competition. The “Best Chicken” category went to a team led by a local teenager named Clayton Dixon.

Group of eight men, firefighters, posing in front of a bright red Hopkinsville Fire Dept banner with two large flame-pattern trophies held by two central men at a outdoor event.
Outdoor community fair scene under tents with volunteers at a snack booth; a blond woman sits at a table with yellow snack boxes in front, while people line up and chat nearby.
Bearded man in a red shirt grilling meat on a large outdoor smoker, lifting a foil-wrapped tray with tongs.
Group of people seated at white picnic tables outside a bright green Juicy BBQ truck, eating and chatting on a sunny day around a community event.
A four-person band performing on a covered outdoor stage, playing keyboard, guitar, drums, and bass, wearing matching geometric shirts.
Outdoor community event in a parking lot with tents, people eating and talking nearby.
Smiling tattooed woman in a camo tank top sits on a cooler beside a large black barbecue smoker on a trailer under a blue canopy.
Four volunteers in gray shirts and black aprons stand behind a food table under a white canopy, smiling at the camera.

Hosted by Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation, teams spent all day cooking outdoors before the afternoon judging. At 6 p.m., the public was invited to come and purchase plates of food, enjoy food trucks, and dance along to live music that emanated down East Ninth Street.

The event was held alongside downtown’s Hoptown Nights series, where live music and special offerings were available at multiple downtown businesses and restaurants from 5-9 p.m.

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