Cape BBQ Fest kicks off today

This weekend, Arena Park will be home to one big backyard barbecue.

The 20th annual Cape BBQ Fest starts at 4:30 p.m. today and concludes Saturday afternoon. This Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event is hosted by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and fills the park with teams competing to barbecue the best chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder/butt/picnic and beef brisket.

"The ability to barbecue has become such a big deal in our culture, and it's amazing to watch these guys work," event chairman Robbie Guard said. "We'll have over 50 KCBS judges evaluating around 38 teams. Some of these teams come in with just one normal smoker, and some have $5,000 of equipment on trailers. But they all cook really well."

First-place teams in each category will receive $300, second place $150, third place $100, fourth place $75 and fifth place $62.50. Sixth through 10th places will receive $25. The Grand Champion of the Cape BBQ Fest will receive a trophy and $2,000. The reserve grand champion will receive $750. Teams must barbecue in all four categories to be eligible for the grand or reserve championship award.

Teams will begin checking in at 9 a.m. today, and the Jaycees will sell food from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. outside the Arena Building. El Acapulco will also be serving drinks tonight. Guard expects around 2,000 people will attend the festival over its two days.

"Not only is there some curiosity from people about this sort of competition, there are also folks who want to compare their own methods to how the professionals cook," Guard said. "Some of the attendees end up entering the competition the next year."

The barbecue teams will perform skits in costume during a showmanship competition from 7 to 8 p.m. The Mike Renick Band will start at 8 p.m. The festival picks back up with teams starting to cook at 5 a.m. Saturday, and the awards ceremony commences at 3 p.m. For more information, visit capejaycees.org.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, MO