Redneck BBQ changing dates

Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Sikeston Jaycees Brent Barber and Jason Pounds discuss arrangements for the Redneck BBQ and Jaycees Horsepower Festival with Missy Marshall.

SIKESTON -- Larry Floyd of Sikeston said he's looking forward to competing in the annual Redneck BBQ next month.

"I've been participating in the Redneck BBQ for the last five years, and it's been a real good deal for our community," Floyd said.

Floyd received two third place wins in two categories in last September's event, which was sanctioned for the first time by the Kansas City Barbeque Society -- the world's largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts.

This year's 13th Annual Redneck BBQ will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14 at the Sikeston Rodeo grounds and will once again be sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. This will mark the first time the Sikeston event will be in the spring.

Missy Marshall, executive director of Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, said she's excited about the event's move to April.

"This is the beginning of barbecue season. It's like golf. Cooks are itching to get out this time of year," Marshall said.

When it began, the Redneck BBQ took place during the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Week in August, and last year it moved to September. Then when organizers of the annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival's KCBS-sanctioned barbecue contest, which is in April, were no longer able to provide the contest, the city of Charleston contacted the Chamber.

"They didn't want to see the opportunity lost," Marshall said, adding the Charleston event draws about 60 participants each year.

So far, teams have signed up from Sikeston, Oran, Farmington and Cape Girardeau as well as Arkansas, Tennessee and Illinois, Marshall said.

"We've already surpassed the number of (registered) teams we had last year," Marshall said, adding 11 teams showed up last year.

One team is bringing a 40-foot rig to work out of and a 20-foot-trailer for their equipment, Marshall said.

This year's competition will be limited to 50 teams. Teams will compete in the following categories: beef brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder or Boston butt and chicken. Total prizes paid out will be $3,600.

On April 13, the "Wutzat" contest will be a free competition for all Redneck BBQ teams.

Other activities available include kids games such as a cookie stacking contest, potato sack races and "chicken chucking." Concessions and a beer garden will also be available. Local band Shady Deal will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The BBQ will be held in conjunction with the Third Annual Sikeston Jaycee Horsepower Festival, also located at the rodeo grounds. It will feature cars dated from the 1930s through the turn of the century, and participants will vie for various prizes.

The events reach local, regional and out-of-state competitors, boosting the local economy, Marshall said.

"Participants will shop at grocery stores, purchase fuel and stay at our hotels," Marshall said.

Being a KCBS-sanctioned event does mean serious business, but participants of all levels can and do participate, Marshall said.

"Everybody's got an equal chance," Floyd agreed.

Marshall said new cookers are often nervous about the KCBS rules.

"But if you think you want to do something like this, this is the best place to do it," Marshall said. "The Chamber is really accommodating and provides a low-stress environment."

Floyd said he was very happy with the KCBS-sanctioned contest last year. "It's a better deal because of the truthful judging," Floyd said.

But in the end, it's not about winning or losing. It's just about being out there, having fun -- whether you win or lose."

For more information about the BBQ, contact the Chamber at (573) 471-2498. Call Jason Pounds at (573) 620-0226 for more information about the car show.

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