Finding the Sweet Spot in Sparks

I got (soft) served.

Forget ribs. I was on a serious hunt for all things sugar the day I arrived in Sparks, NV for the Best in the West rib cook-off last week (we've got this awesome slideshow to prove it). Besides the dozens of rib shacks, there were sno-cones, chocolate-dipped this-and-thats, cotton candy caramel apples, deep-fried cinnamon and sugar pretzels and regular ice cream bars. But during the 90-plus degree heat consuming festival goers, the longest line by far was for Sierra Swirls: soft-serve ice cream with a flavor swirled in. Genius! Flavors ranged from blueberry to bubble gum, chocolate pecan to peanut butter. My flavor of choice? Classic cherry. I want another one right now.

I spent a good two days snapping photos of the parade of sweets in Sparks, but my favorite photo of them all, and the one that completely sums up the cook-off, is this guy ...

Who are the cool cats in the hats?

BINGO! Oh, yeah. This is Sparks, all right. Gotta love dudes who aren't afraid to walk around with those things. The hats are pretty ridiculous, too.