The grills will be fired up and the Jasper County Fairgrounds will be filled with food, music and family-friendly activities Aug. 21-22 as the Newton American Legion hosts its 3rd Annual Smoke-Off BBQ Competition.
The two-day event will bring BBQ teams, vendors and visitors together at the Jasper County Fairgrounds for a weekend featuring competition barbecue, live entertainment, a flea market, car show, kids’ activities, food and drinks, and more.
The competition is open to the public and BBQ teams, with competitors battling in the categories of ribs, chicken, pork and brisket. A new ancillary competition this year will feature beef cheeks, with trophies and cash prizes awarded to category winners and grand champions.
Friday, Aug. 21
The weekend gets underway Friday as BBQ teams roll in and begin setting up.
Friday’s schedule includes:
- 4 p.m. – Food and drinks by the Shriners
- 4:30 p.m. – Beer garden opens
- 6:30 p.m. – Queen of Hearts
- 6:30 p.m. – Live music by Absent Ground Band
- 7 p.m. – Ancillary Beef Cheek Competition, with Bow on the Go providing drinks
Home Wood Grill will also be on-site Friday with its ice cream truck.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Saturday offers a full day of activities at the fairgrounds.
The flea market opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m., with free booth space available for vendors. Vendors were asked to register by Aug. 7, with setup available Friday evening or Saturday morning.
The beer garden opens at 10 a.m., while the Dessert Contest begins at 11 a.m. The contest is open to the public and BBQ teams, and participants can enter any type of dessert. Entries should be turned in by 11 a.m., with a $10 entry fee.
Live music begins at noon with Randy Kimi & The Thunder Road Band.
At 1:30 p.m., visitors can take part in the People’s Choice BBQ Tasting, giving attendees the opportunity to sample competition barbecue and vote for their favorite. The cost is $10 for an armband, and tasters will sample wings and ribs from participating teams.
The Kids’ BBQ Competition begins at 2 p.m., with meat turn-in at 3 p.m. The competition is divided into two age groups: 5-10 and 11-16. Organizers will provide the grills, charcoal and meat, while participating children get the chance to do the cooking themselves. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers.
Additional Saturday attractions include a car show, bounce houses, food vendors, the Golden Hour Coffee trailer, Home Wood Grill and the opportunity to visit the Military Museum.
The event is designed to offer something for the entire family while showcasing the skills of BBQ competitors from the area and beyond.
For more information about the Smoke-Off BBQ Competition or BBQ team registration, contact Tina at 618-783-1575 or Jim at 980-621-0031. Questions about the flea market can be directed to Barb at 618-783-2725.
The Newton American Legion Smoke-Off BBQ Competition will be held at the Jasper County Fairgrounds, 1300 Fairground Avenue, Newton, Illinois.
