Chamber to bring fun, food to Ruddick Park as part of BBQ Cook-Off

Are you ready for some barbecue fun? If so, the Colorado City Area Chamber of Commerce has a treat for you.

The chamber will host its first Barbecue Cook-Off this weekend and, in the process, bring Ruddick Park to life with a bevy of activities. A horseshoe and cornhole tournament will be also be part of the event, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday.

A total of 17 teams were signed up as of press time. Chamber officials are expecting the number of entrants to climb prior to the start of April 16-17 even. Individuals and teams interested in participating can register on Friday at the East Pavilion in the park from 3-7 p.m. At registration, teams will pay for their entries, show their store-packaged meat for inspections, receive team information and facts about the team meeting.

A prize of $1,500 will be awarded to the grand champion, with a $1,000 prize going to the reserve champion in both the brisket and ribs categories. The top three places in each meat classification will receive financial rewards. Judging will be on a point-system, with criteria including appearance, taste and tenderness.

The entry fee is $100 per three-person team.

Jackpot contests include jalapeno poppers and beans. The entry fee for the poppers event is $10 and a $20 fee will be due for the beans contest.

Nine seems to be the magic number for cooks. A total of nine slices of brisket, nine ribs and nine jalapeno poppers are needed for judging. Turn in times will vary for teams.

Camp awards will also be given to the friendliest, cleanest and best decorated.

Local businesses have stepped up and sponsored the prize money for the event as a way to help the chamber with its fundraiser. Lowe’s Market is sponsoring the Grand Champion. The Reserve Grand Champion will be sponsored by TLR Welding.

The first-place award in the Ribs division is sponsored by Ramage Appliance and Furniture, while the first-place award in the Brisket division is sponsored by Red Rock Oilfield Services. Second-place prizes are being sponsored by Canadian Redneck.

The band playing on Saturday evening is being sponsored by FirstBank & Trust and Corner Drug.

For more information, call the Colorado City Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-728-3403.