Logo courtesy of Stuart Revitalization Group

This weekend is the Stuart Revitalization Groups Best of the Block BBQ Competition.

Member Russ Wagner says that the two day event begins Friday, with the competitors beginning to cook at 5pm, and the Revitalization group holding a free will donation chili feed at 6pm. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that there are 10 teams making their way to Stuart to compete.

“This year it’s all Iowa barbecuers and they come from, I mean, all over the state, literally. I think the furthest one away was like 170 miles. So it’s a big commitment on their behalf. They pay an entry fee. We provide the meat. But then we take the meat back after they give their six portions for the judges, so that we can feed the community with some of the best barbecue in the state, quite frankly.”

Wagner mentions that on Saturday, everything begins with a free will donation breakfast the the Stuart American Legion is helping with at 8am, followed by a vendor fair from 10am to 3pm, and family friendly games, give aways, face painting and caricatures from 11am to 5pm. He adds that starting at 3pm, the judging begins, and at 5pm awards are handed out, with a pie auction, silent auction and raffle to follow at 5:30pm.

Wagner explains that the BBQ Meat Fest begins at 6pm, and is also a free will donation meal, and that to end the night, Randy Burk and the Prisoners will perform live starting at 7pm.