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No Garry Maddox barbecue contest this year

"Unfortunately, it doesn't always generate robust proceeds for the charity, which is the main goal of the event," says an organizer.

For the first summer since 2001, the annual barbecue challenge headed by former Phillies star Garry Maddox outside Citizens Bank Park won't come off.

A note posted to the organizers' Facebook last week gave no reason. In the early years, restaurateur Neil Stein lent his name to Maddox's event, which benefited Maddox's youth charity, now known as Compete 360. Since 2009, Stephen Starr has been the restaurant community's sponsor.

Replying to a query, Maddox associate Kerry Ann Williams called the challenge "a great event, and we heard from a lot of supporters, participants, and attendees after it was canceled. Unfortunately, it doesn't always generate robust proceeds for the charity, which is the main goal of the event."

"We appreciate the long-standing support of the Phillies, Aramark, Starr Restaurants, Hatfield, CBS Radio, and Turkey Hill, and we've enjoyed sharing this day with barbecue lovers for the past 13 years," she wrote. "If we can figure out a way to make it a better fundraiser, Garry would be interested in bringing it back."