By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
For the past nine Labor Day weekends in Hoisington, Ron VanNess strung together groups of meat enthusiasts for Bubba's BBQ Cookoff. VanNess passed away last fall, putting the event's future into question. The Hoisington Chamber of Commerce stepped up and will now host its first BBQ Championship as part of the Labor Day festivities on Sept. 3.
"We're hoping this is going to become a known place to go for a barbecue championship," said Hoisington Chamber Director Karen Baldyga. "We're planning on using the Kansas City Barbecue Society Rules. We're hoping as the years go on, it just grows bigger and bigger. As Labor Day goes on through the years, we're always looking for events that will draw more people here. We have the Demolition Derby, the street dance, and our parade, and now we're hoping this barbecue will be another big event over this weekend."
Big cash payouts will make the chamber version of a cookoff more lucrative for teams. The grand champion will receive $1,000, and a reserve grand champion will be awarded $500. With prize going money to the top-five finishers in each meat category, a total of $3,100 will be paid out to competitors.
"We've been able to get some sponsorships and we're hoping this is just the beginning," Baldyga said, "and that every year our payout for cash prizes only gets higher and higher."
There is a registration fee of $125 for the four barbecue meat categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork butt, and beef brisket. Competition is limited to the first 18 teams on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only teams with entries in all four meat categories will be considered for the grand champion and reserve grand champion prizes.
Baldyga said there could be as many as 18 judges. Unfortunately for barbecue lovers, the sampling will end there.
"It's a lot for these guys to come all this way and cook all night long," said Baldyga. "It tends to put a lot of stress on them when they have to do samples. But our other vendors will be open during that time so we'll have some barbecue there as well. People will be able to get a bite to eat, walk around, and see what these guys are doing."
Find a complete list of rules for the cookoff and an online registration form by CLICKING HERE.