BROOKLINE – The fire department will host its seventh annual BBQ Competition this Saturday and Sunday, bringing together local grilling enthusiasts.

The event has grown over the past several years, said Brookline Fire Department Auxiliary President Sheryl Corey, whose husband is the fire chief.

The first year attracted about 16 teams of competing grillers and last year nearly 40 participated. Corey said a similar crowd of competitors are expected this year.

And while the event has also continued to draw more and more locals, Corey said she hopes this year’s event will also draw larger crowds from around the region.

The event is one of the fire department’s biggest fundraisers, she said, and with an all-volunteer staff, the department is always in need of funding.

“It’s very popular,” she said of the competition. “But we’re looking to see it grow.”

The event starts the morning of July 21 with lawn mower races, children’s firemen muster and horseshoe competition, and continues that afternoon with a people’s choice barbecue competition, when competitors will gather at the Brookline ball field to try their hand at chicken wings, and attendees will vote for their favorite variety. Wings cost $5 for six.

Saturday evening will feature a chicken barbecue put on by the fire department, and music from the Bedford Town Band and other musical acts.

Locals hungry for pancakes can head to the fire department for a pancake breakfast Sunday from 8-10 a.m.

Families can enjoy a touch-a-truck event from 9 a.m.-noon at the Richard Maghakian Memorial School.

Carnival games will be held at the ball field that morning as well.

Vic and Sticks will perform three musical comedy shows, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold.

The judged portion of the competition begins Sunday afternoon, with participants making chicken wings and ribs. A people’s choice pulled pork competition will also be held.

A youth barbecue competition will also be held Sunday for children up to age 16, with the winning child given the opportunity to head to a KCBS competition in Lake Placid, New York, next summer. All competition ends around 3 p.m., with awards announced soon after.

All proceeds benefit the fire department.

For more information on the event, call 673-4058 or visit www.brooklinefd.com. To register to compete, visit the New England Barbecue Society at NEBS.org or call Andy King at 1-978-257-3125 or basteyboy@comcast.net.

There are a few remaining openings for competitive teams.

Danielle Curtis can be reached at 594-6557 or dcurtis@nashuatelegraph.com. Also follow Curtis on Twitter (Telegraph_DC).