Cape Jaycees to host 26th annual BBQ Fest

The Kansas City Barbeque Society event is back again for its 26th year at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau as part of the free, two-day Cape Jaycees BBQ Fest this weekend. The event is put on by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees to benefit its charitable organization Toy Box, with events starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Jaycee's member Steve Gipson explained the main event Saturday is certified by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, with more than 40 teams coming from across the nation to compete for a purse of cash and prizes worth more than $10,000.

Participants will set up at Arena Park and spend the majority of Friday and Saturday morning preparing their barbecue, he said, readying themselves to compete in four different categories presented to over 30 judges.

"That's one of the cool things about coming out on Friday," Gipson said. "As you walk around, you can see these guys cooking and you can see some of the rigs these guys are pulling. It's serious stuff with the way they approach it."

According to Gipson, the judges are sanctioned by the KCBS, which he said gets a lot of attention from people all over the country. He said the team that will travel the farthest this weekend is one coming from New Mexico.

"So where the community comes in is on Friday night," Gipson said. "Mike Renick Band plays at 8 p.m. and we also invite a couple food trucks and food suppliers."

This year's vendors include Mary Jane, Burgers & Brew, Heavy Smoke Barbecue, Andy's Sweet Tooth and Kona Ice. The businesses, Gipson said, would be donating a portion of proceeds to Toy Box.

An "adult beverage tent," also would be available Friday, in addition to a corn hole tournament, he added.

"We also have some raffles going on, with a Yeti cooler, gift cards, alcohol and T-shirts," Gipson said. "We are also selling raffle tickets for a Smokin Brothers grill."

Toy Box, which collects and distributes gifts at Christmastime to children who might otherwise not receive presents, is the primary purpose behind the barbecue fest, he said.

Gipson said he has been part of the Cape Jaycees for nearly five years, and each year the organization assists nearly 400 families through the Toy Box program.

"If people want to help out, come out," Gipson said. "That's the main thing they can do. The food trucks we're working with are contributing to our toy drive, as well."

Gipson describes Friday as a fun day of beer, food, entertainment and "an opportunity to come out, have fun but also help for a great cause."

He recommends arriving around 6 p.m. Friday to register for the corn hole tournament and other raffles. The food trucks, Gipson said, would be set up around that time.

Over the years, the event has slowly developed, he explained, with "very few" teams starting out.

"But now being the 40-plus (teams), it has become quite the event within the barbecue circle," Gipson said. "It's been fun to watch it develop and grow."

All event details can be found online at the Cape Jaycees Facebook page.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

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