“This is the first battle held by RIBS,” said Tim Mapel, member of RIBS. “In previous years, it was presented by the Fort Dodge Chili Lovers Society, but they decided to pass the torch onto us because they already hold the chili cookoff in October and the annual Badger BBQ Battle.”

The gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The event will include a combination of a barbecue competition with teams competing in a chicken and a mystery meat challenge, along with food and events for the community to enjoy.

“The public will be able to sample the competitors’ food throughout the day,” Mapel said.

Guests of legal age can enjoy a beer tent that will be open throughout the day. There will be two whole hogs cooked for public sampling, and opening at noon, there will be kids activities, bouncy house provided by the Bouncy Thing, and a dunk tank.

“The Police Department will be providing off-duty cops to sit in the dunk tank, and all the money raised from the dunk tank will be donated to the Police Department,” Mapel said.

Throughout the day there will be live entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. Those performing include MoJo Productions, the Blue Ribbon Ramblers, Cameron Panzi, and Alex McKinney.

The BBQ Battle will also have raffle tickets for sale for one of the two vintage wood ice chest cooler. B.B.Ques Barbeque store will be carrying the coolers around for every one to see.

Teams will begin cooking in the early hours on Saturday and throughout the day, and the BBQ judging begins at 5:30 p.m.

The BBQ Battle will continue on Sunday.

Sunday will be more focused on the competition aspect of the event, along with being a day more for the friends and family of those competing.

The cooking competition will consist of a four meat competition where teams will compete in chicken, ribs, pork butt, and brisket.

“Everyone will cook overnight on Saturday,” Mapel said. “This way the competitors won’t have to spend their entire day on Sunday cooking food.”

Admission for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children (11-16). Kids 10 and under are admitted for free.

A portion of the days proceeds will be donated to the Fort Museum, and Frontier Village and the other will help RIBS create a scholarship.

“Since RIBS has taken over, we are working towards a goal of making enough money to create a special scholarship for graduating seniors at Fort Dodge Senior High interested in culinary arts. The scholarship will go to a student attending the Iowa Central culinary program.”

Vendors for the BBQ Battle include Dave’s Backyard Grill, B.B.Ques Store, Spice Shack, Midwest Flavors, and many more.

For more information, call Tim Mapel of Mad Rabbit Designs at 515-573-0103 or Nick Myer of A plus Auto Glass at 712-830-6006.

BBQ Battle presented by RIBS

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: The Fort Museum and Frontier Village, 1 Museum Road

ADMISSION: $10 for adults & $5 for children (11-16); Children under 10 are admitted for free