There were two major events on everyone’s mind this weekend: “Smoke” and Sandy. One was planned. One was not.

“Smoke” refers to Smoke on the Water, the annual barbecue competition organized by the Washington Noon Rotary on the Washington waterfront. This year, Smoke on the Water was also the state barbecue competition.

Sandy, as in Hurricane Sandy, was headed in this direction about the same time that the pigs were being delivered to the cookers Friday.

Sandy had a hand in dousing some of the Smoke on the Water events, like the popular Eastern Carolina Fire Engine Pull, sponsored by Beaufort County Developmental Center, the Atlantic Beach Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, skydivers from Tradewinds Sky Sports and a flyover by a U.S. Air Force KC-135.

Thanks to Spencer Stanley and the members of the Washington Noon Rotary, Smoke on the Water withstood the rain and wind for another successful year.

Thanks are also in order for John Pack, Beaufort County’s emergency-management director, and his team for being prepared to manage whatever crisis Sandy brings our way today and Monday.