CAPE BBQ REST: BRAGGING RIGHTS AT STAKE AT EVENT

Bragging rights, the Charles E. Knote Grand Champion Trophy, and up to $400 in cash awards are at stake in the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual BBQ Fest, to be held this month.

The two-day event, which includes barbecue competition in six categories and skits in a showmanship contest, will be held at Arena Park Aug. 27 and 28.

This year's Cape BBQ Fest could be the biggest ever, said Fred Higdon, the event's general chairman.

That could mean up to 30 teams.

As many as 29 teams have entered the event in previous years.

The annual cookout gives area amateurs a chance to show off their barbecuing abilities. It is open to amateurs throughout the region, and teams can range from two to 15 members.

They can compete in the categories of hamburgers, beef kebabs, boneless strip steak, roast pork (Boston Butt), pork steaks and pork ribs.

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners in each category, and trophies or ribbons will be awarded to the top three places.

The grand champions of the Cape BBQ Fest will receive the Charles E. Knote Grand Champion trophy and a cash prize of $200.

The Knote trophy was awarded for the time last year. The late Charles Knote was instrumental in getting the BBQ Fest started in 1993. He was a professional food scientist, Culinary Institute of Smoke-Cooking, and offered barbecue training sessions during the two-day event until his death early last year.

Knote's barbecue talent was known throughout the Midwest. He and his wife, Ruth, were certified judges for the nation's largest barbecue contest, the American Royal in Kansas City. They also judged "Memphis in May" and other contests across the country. The Knotes were authors of "Barbecuing and Sausage Making Secrets," a book that sold across the United States and in foreign countries.

Davis Farms of Southern Illinois claimed the first Knote Trophy and the $200 cash.

The annual cookout has attracted as many as 2,000 people to the two-day activities, which include the showmanship contest during the first evening, along with other games and activities.

The showmanship contest consists of entertainment -- skits, songs, comedy -- presented by participating barbecue teams, starting at 7 p.m. Aug. 29.

The Agriculture Club of Southeast Missouri State University will plan and conduct other contests and activities. The Cape County Young Farmers helps conduct the contests.

Members of the Chamber's Agri-Business Committee will offer beef and pork sandwiches for sale to the public.

Other area groups -- SEMO Pork Producers, SEMO Cattlemen's Association and the Junior 4-H Club -- are involved in the two-day event.

Additional information is available by calling 335-3312.