YELLOWKNIFE - The spring and summer months in Yellowknife are barbecue season, where businesses and community groups show their appreciation for the citizens of the city with free grilled food.

The BBQ Patrol pull a Brady Bunch pose. They are, from front, Brooke Madsen, Abby Alty, Keri-Ann Loutit, Rebecca Alty, Kim Knutson, Keirra Alty, Dylan Short, Vivian Hansen and Austin Knutson. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photos

One group of resourceful residents takes full advantage.

The self-professed BBQ Patrol has been around for a few years now, hopping from event to event, where they can be seen enjoying and analyzing the food and the ambience.

This weekend may have been their busiest yet.

Yellowknifer ran into the gang at their third stop of the day - the Kingland Ford barbecue - on Saturday afternoon.

"It's monumental," said Rebecca Alty, describing the confluence of free food that day, and pretty much the entire week.

The BBQ Patrol Facebook group listed 11 free food events taking place from June 14 - 21 in the city.

"This adds a few notches to our belts," said Rebecca.

Yellowknifer could not determine if this was said figuratively or literally.

"Keri-Ann (Loutit) even flew in from Fort Simpson," joked Rebecca, of her fellow BBQ aficionado and Fort Simpson resident.

Austin Knutson was already four burgers in by the time the patrol hit this event. He gingerly made his way to the barbecue for his inevitable fifth.

The group's mode of transportation did lend itself to building up hunger. The patrol bikes from one event to the next to burn off calories.

President of the BBQ Patrol, Keirra Alty, set up the Facebook group and said they are always looking for new members.

"This year, it really expanded," she said.

The BBQ Patrol numbered nine on Saturday. One duty of members is to post ratings of the various barbecues on-line. Events are given points for meeting different criteria.

Brooke Madsen was impressed by the Mining Heritage barbecue - their second event of the day - giving it a solid nine out of 10 rating. She said the entertainment and games gave it that extra 'je ne sais quoi.'

The event received universal praise from the group. It included horseshoes, a bingo, and Ring Pops treats.

It was the highlight of the season, said Abby Alty, except it did not feature veggie burgers. Many of the patrol members are vegetarians.

"They did have watermelon," said Abby. "They get a point."

As for the Kingland event, they enjoyed the face painting, homemade kielbasa and Chuckles the Clown.

"This one could use a little music," noted Kim. "It's a bit subdued."

Eventually, with pop cups empty and bellies one sandwich fuller, the group picked up their bikes to pedal away to their next destination: a seafood spectacular at the Co-op.