CAPE BBQ FEST TO BE HELD FRIDAY, SATURDAY

Barbecue teams from throughout the region will compete this weekend for the right to become known as the best backyard chefs around.

The sixth annual Cape BBQ Fest will be held Friday and Saturday at Arena Park. The event is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce agribusiness committee.

Teams will prove their grilling talents on beef boneless strip steaks, hamburgers, beef kebabs, port Boston butts, pork ribs and pork steaks.

The overall winner will receive a $200 prize and the Charles E. Knote Grand Champion Trophy. Knote, who died last year, was founder of the barbecue contest.

In addition to barbecue, a variety of games and contests will be held Friday. Events get under way at 1 p.m. Games start at 6 p.m. and include bean bag toss, washer pitching, water balloon toss, a soccer kick and a rolling pin toss.

The evening culminates with the Urban Cowboy contest. Participants must drive a steel post, move and stack bales of straw, lasso a dummy steer and drive a garden tractor through a maze.

The fun turns serious Saturday as the teams grill, steam and smoke their entries. Cooking begins at 7:30 a.m. Beef and pork samples will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Judging begins at noon, and the winners in each category will be announced at 3:30 p.m.