Barbecue aficionados have come to anticipate a late-season bonanza of points up for grabs in one of the cooking circuit’s smallest venues—Spur, population 1,134.
Three years ago, when local ’cue chef Reid Arnold and his wife, Betsy, suggested a cook-off as a potential fund-raiser for the city’s shuttered swimming pool, a June weekend provided the right opening, and the Big Dog BBQ Cook-off was born.
The event drew dozens of cook teams to Spur’s Swenson Park, and a variety of other fun activities were tacked on.
Last summer, even during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) helped event organizers set up safety protocols that allowed the competition to co forward, though with reduced participation,
The fund-raiser will return to Swenson Park Friday and Saturday, June 25–26, 2021, with a twist that’s sure to please cookers: 100% payout of the total registration fees as prize money.
What’s new for 2021 is the addition of a Burgers & Brats picnic in the park Friday night, so that locals and visitors can enjoy a tasty home-grilled meal. Local musicians will be invited to join in a jam session as well. And on Saturday night, the popular barn dance returns. The Spur Area Chamber of Commerce will head up the sidelight events, while Betsy Arnold will once again serve as liaison with the IBCA and registrar for cook teams.
The cost to enter is $150 per meat category (chicken, pork ribs, and brisket), with the total prize pot dependent on the number of registrants. There will also be a bring-your-own-ribeye steak cook-off Saturday night.
As customary, locals aged 18 and above are invited to serve as judges. Scheduling of judging time slots will be online this year via Signup Genius; the link will be posted on the event’s new Facebook page at @BigDogSpur.
Judging four meats will call for nearly 100 judges for preliminary and final rounds, according to IBCA rules.
Volunteers are also needed for setup, cleanup, and leadership of other related events. Those interested should email spurchamber@gmail.com for more information.
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