Wheaton Barbecue serves up cool break during summer heat

There's nothing like a good piece of pie to finish off dinner in the park. Kyli McNee, 10, dug into her pie at the Wheaton Barbecue, purchased from the Wheaton Methodist Church's concession stand, while her father, Nile McNee, looked on.

Children romped in the water at Wheaton City Park on Saturday while firefighters created a man-made lake for the evening duck race. On one of the hottest weekends of the year, parents did not discourage their children from going for a splash. When the duck race occurred in the evening, with firefighters pushing plastic ducks with their fire hoses, Kelly Brattin, of Wheaton, won the first place prize of $500. Taylor Price, of Neosho, won second place for $250; Riley Cooper, of Wheaton, won the third place $125 prize. Johnnie Hilery, of Washburn, won fourth and $75. Mickey Mitchell, of Wheaton, won the fifth place prize and gave the $50 back to the fire department.

While lending a helping hand for organizers at the Wheaton Barbecue on Saturday, Robert Horton found a great way to beat the heat with his own personal air conditioning system.

Kitty Harris, of Fairview, showed off the interior of a 1959 Mercury Monterey in the car show at the Wheaton Barbecue. Her father, Ray Harris, bought the car in Cassville and preserved it so it has all original components and required no restoration.

Michelle Pettingill and Tony Brattin busily packed dinners from the 1,200 barbecued chicken halves cooked at the Wheaton Barbecue. Organizer Bob Lombard expected the meals would sell out. Servers also prepared more than 450 pulled pork sandwiches for the hungry crowd.

Live music provided entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening at the Wheaton Barbecue. When one of the scheduled acts did not arrive, Ozark Mountain Revival jumped in and presented a double set to keep toes tapping in the crowd.

Two tents for craft vendors offered ample opportunity to show off a wide range of creativity at the Wheaton Barbecue. Longtime Wheaton resident Neal Vinyard, center, now an Arkansas resident, displayed his paintings that keep him busy in retirement, pointing out a commissioned piece to Ronnie Senseney, at right.