BBQ Cookout Sizzles, Record Turnout in Hampton

HAMPTON — The scent of smoked meats filled Access Park as competitors from across the Midwest gathered in Hampton July 31 and August 1 for the city’s second annual barbecue championship, drawing a record number of competitors and building on the success of the inaugural event.

A total of 41 teams competed in the Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition which attracted teams from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Canada.

The championship featured professional and backyard divisions, live music, vendors and activities for families throughout the weekend.Teams competed for more than $10,000 in prize money while earning points toward national barbecue rankings.

Charlene Pralle Janssen, who handled marketing for the event, said organizers were encouraged by the increase in participation during the competition’s second year.

“We doubled in numbers of cooks,” Pralle Janssen said. “We went from 18 last year to 41 this year. It just blows my mind.”

Organizer Barb Furman coordinated the event and oversaw much of the planning.

According to Pralle Janssen, planning for this year’s championship began shortly after last year’s competition ended.

“We start planning in August,” Pralle Janssen said. “We pick out the date for next year, then start looking at entertainment, sponsorships, grants and the budget. It’s a long process.”

Friday’s schedule included the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Kids’ Steak Cookoff for youth ages 12 to 18. Participants prepared steaks while local judges evaluated their entries, and line dancing followed later in the evening.

On Saturday, visitors watched teams prepare entries in the chicken, ribs, pork and brisket categories before certified judges selected the winners. Backyard competitors also competed in separate chicken and rib divisions.

Live music was provided by Nolan Luther and Kris Karr throughout the day. Visitors also had access to food vendors, a vendor market, gravity basketball and other activities.

Pralle Janssen said many teams travel from competition to competition throughout the season. Top teams continue building points in hopes of qualifying for larger events, including the American Royal Invitational in Kansas City and the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee, one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.

Pralle Janssen said the idea for bringing a sanctioned barbecue competition to Hampton came after attending similar events while spending winters in Arizona. She said the goal was to create an event that would draw visitors to the community while giving residents the opportunity to experience championship-level barbecue close to home.

The Masters division offered more than $10,000 in prize money, while the Backyard division awarded a $1,500 purse.

For the Master Series Overall Scores, the grand champion was Smokey D’s Wanna Bees and the Reserve Champion was Dry 2 Da Bone from Harlan. 

Grand Champion Sponsors included Gidding Signs, First Bank Hampton and KLMJ 104.9/KQCR 98.9 with OnTheGo Media. Reserve Champion Sponsors included Murphy’s Heating and Plumbing, Buresh Building Systems Inc., Twin States Inc./Liqui Grow and United Bank & Trust Co. Smoking Hot Sponsors were Franklin Farmer Aerial Application, Franklin REC, Steve Kruse, Mid Iowa Auction Company and JT Machine Tool Co. Inc. Well Done Sponsors included Morts Water Company, Long Term Medical Supply Inc., Rustic Brew, Continental Wholesale and Corn Belt Power Services.