The Twenty Fourth Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out (22nd Annual Show-Me State Championship) contest will be held during the 41st Annual Jesse James Festival, September 16-17, 2011. Check in time is 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, or 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

Sponsors are North Kansas City Beverage Co., distributors of Anheuser-Busch products, and St. Michael's Knights of Columbus Council No. 8915 of Kearney, in conjunction with the Jesse James Festival Committee.

The contest will again be sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and their judging procedures will be used. This contest will also be one of the contests involved in the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP between the North Kansas City, Blue Springs, and Kearney contests which is determined by the four basic categories.

We will have one division with five categories. The categories are turkey, beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken and pork shoulder/boston butt only (minimum 5 pounds). Judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, September 18th. ONLY THE FOUR BASIC KCBS CATEGORIES WILL COUNT TOWARD THE GRAND CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION!

The contest will be held in the same location as the past few years. The amphitheatre at the festival grounds will be the site of the cooks meeting at 7:00 p.m. Friday night and the awards presentation Saturday afternoon.

This will also be the site for all the Jesse James Festival activities which will include a beer garden and festival dance on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as the popular mud volleyball contest, rodeo, carnival, and arts and crafts.

As this will be the 41st Annual Jesse James Festival there will be many other activities, so please visit the website JesseJamesFestival.com or also visit a new city website accesskearney.com for activities in our community including all the amphitheatre concerts.

Prize money has been increased by $1,450 to a total of $5,025 with a $200 cash prize for first place in each category, $175 to second place, $150 to third place, $135 to fourth place, $125 to fifth place with ribbons being awarded in all places. The overall Reserve Grand Champion will receive $500 and a trophy. The Grand Champion will receive $600 and a trophy. A plaque will also be awarded by the Kearney Chamber of Commerce for the Showmanship Award.

The entry fee is $150 for all categories. Advance registrations are strongly encouraged. Electrical hook ups will be available this year for $25. Entry forms and copies of rules and regulations may be picked up from Kearney City Hall or you may request by mail from JESSE JAMES BARBEQUE COMMITTEE, P.O. BOX 202, KEARNEY, MISSOURI 64060.

If you have any questions, call Joan at City Hall (816) 903-4726, or Larry at 903-7728. Interested judges should contact Patty Carter at 628-6977. These are toll free K.C. numbers.

We plan to continue our "TASTE THE BEST OF KEARNEY" sample sale program this year. For teams participating in this program applications must be received by September 1st and a contract will be returned to you.

Additionally you must have a temporary food permit from the Clay County Health Department Environmental Services and contact Allison Winters at (816) 595-4251.

We look forward to your participation and welcome you again to our community.

Jesse James BBQ Committee Larry Pratt, Jim Conley, Joan Updike, Jeff Herndon