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The annual Eddie Orange barbecue cook-off is set to take place Saturday, Sept. 14 during the 2024 Colorado County Fair and Rodeo at the Colorado County Ag. Complex.
Cook-off day starts bright and early at 9:00 a.m., spanning all through the evening with awards and winners set to be announced at 4:30 p.m.
Each team will consist of one chief cook at least 18 years of age, and no more than four members. Teams will only be allowed to enter the grounds through the barbecue gate starting 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 if they have pre-registered and paid their entry fee. All other teams are asked to arrive between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept.13, with no check-ins on Saturday.
Categories and turn in times are Bloody Mary – 9 a.m., Beans – 11 a.m., Chicken – 12 p.m., Pork Spareribs – 1:30 p.m., Brisket – 3 p.m.
All teams will be required to submit for each category entered: two chicken halves, fully jointed (must consist of wing, breast, thigh & drumstick NO Cornish Game Hens); nine whole pork spare ribs (no baby backs); nine full slices of brisket (1/4” to 3/8” thick); 1 – 16 oz. cup of beans (nothing larger than the bean in the cup): 1 - 16 oz. cup Margarita (containers will be provided.)
Cookers may check in and leave their pit on Friday and return on Saturday. Everyone, including the cooks, must pay admission to the fairgrounds.
All cooks will be asked to show a season pass to enter the barbecue contestant entry gate. Season passes are available from any fair queen, at various businesses around the county, or may be included in your entry fees, and called for at the gate upon arrival. Teams will be assigned a barbecue site first come upon payment of entry fees. Entry fees paid after September 1st must be paid in cash, money order or cashier’s check.
1st place will receive a $300 cash prize alongside a trophy, with prizes and incentives for the other placings.
The event is sponsored by Schneider Machine & Welding, Schneider Tire and Lube, Quality Fertilizer, The First State Bank, Brookshire Brothers, Blue Dolphin, Barco Industries, Evelyn Orange, Pat Bartels and Scott Orange Families in memory of Eddie Orange.
For more information, contact Racheal Schneider at 979-732-7571 or email rachealschneider@ me.com. Entry forms may be downloaded at coloradocountyfair.org.
