Site updated 2/10/2010

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Bar-B-Que

The 23rd Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out ( 21st Annual Show-Me State Championship), will be held during the 40th Annual Jesse James Festival, September 17-19, 2010. 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 Anhauser Busch products, the Kiernan Companies 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 be one of the contests involved with 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 12:30PM, 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 has been completed with events scheduled this year, which will be the site of the cooks meeting at 7:00PM Friay night and awards presentation Saturday afternoon.

This will also be the site for all the Jesse James Festival activities which will include a beer garden and a festival dance on Friday and Saturday nights, and a demolition derby on Friday night . The weekend before will feature activities on Saturday September 8th with an adult dance on Saturday night,  with the mule show on Sunday.

Kicking off the festival this year will be a teen dance on Friday, September 10th, with an adult dance and battle of the bands on Saturday, September 11th.  A country and western band will be performing on Friday and Saturday, September 17-18th, and a demolition derby on September 18th, with other events on that week end including a parade, rodeo, horseshoe pitching, mud volleyball, arts and crafts, carnival, with many more activities.


Prize money will increase 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 Grand Champion will receive $600 and a trophy. The Reserve Grand Champion will receive $500 and a trophy. A plaque will 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 hookup will be available this year for $25.. Entry forms and copies of rules and regulations may be picked up at the Kearney City Hall. You may also request it by mail from the JESSE JAMES BARBEQUE, P.O. BOX 202, KEARNEY, MISSOURI  64060.

BBQ Contest Documents - Check this as there are some changes:
2010 informatiowill be posted here when available.
2010 BBQ Info Letter
City of Kearney Map to Jesse James Park


If you have any questions, call Joan at City Hall (816) 903-4726 or Larry at (816) 903-7728. Interested judges should cantact Patty Carter at (816) 628-6977. These are toll free Kansas City numbers. You may also access the website for all festival activities including downloading the application  ( click here for application )

We are still attempting to have a “TASTE THE BEST OF KEARNEY” sample sales 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 Section by contacting Frank Ferro at 816-595-4250.

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