Orland Park’s Joe Teresi is a plumber who likes to make ribs.
He and his team – known as Plumber Q – have been entering rib cooking contests for years.
His Orland Park home is very close to Centennial Park West.
So, he jumped at the opportunity to enter the rib contest at Orland Park’s first Red, White and Blue BBQ Fest and Parade, which took place May 23 at Centennial Park West.
He and his crew took first place among the judges. Plumber Q beat out Da Que and Bad Axe for the grand championship.
Bad Axe, based out of Blue Island, won the People’s Choice Award.
What made Plumbers Q so special?
“We have been trying to perfect the recipe over the years,” Teresi said. “It’s always a work in progress.”
The contest was a part of a day that included the 40-entry parade headed up by grand marshal Kendall Coyne Schofield, an Olympic gold medalist in hockey, activities for kids and entertainment that included a Bruce Springsteen tribute act.
Mark Salore of the Bruce Springsteen tribute band Tramps Like Us belts out a song at the inaugural Orland Park Red White and Blue BBQ Fest and Parade May 23 at Centennial Park West. 
Plumber Q was the grand champion of the ribs contest at the Orland Park Red, White and Blue BBQ Fest and Parade May 23 at Centennial Park West. 
Nashville Nation singer Savannah Thomas performs with her group at the Orland Park Red, White and Blue BBQ Fest and Parade on May 23 at Centennial Park West.