Ring of Smoke barbecue competition set for April 17-18 in Edina, Mo
EDINA, MO- The inaugural Knox County 4-H and FFA Ring of Smoke is set for April 17 and 18 at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Edina, bringing with it a KCBS sanctioned barbecue competition, live music, vendors, a cornhole tournament, a cruise-in, and a fundraiser designed to support future improvements at the fairgrounds.
Organizers John Greenley and Andre Nixon said the event is being built not only as a major weekend attraction, but as a way to give back to local 4-H and FFA youth and help strengthen the Knox County fairgrounds for years to come.
Nixon said the idea grew after the success of a large barbecue competition he hosted in La Belle last fall. Greenley later reached out about bringing something similar to Knox County, and the two began organizing the event together.
The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, which means certified judges will be scoring the entries and teams will be competing in a serious points-chasing environment that draws experienced cooks from across the region and beyond. Organizers said teams from places such as Omaha, St. Louis and Chicago were already in the mix, with interest also coming from Arkansas.
For competitors, the four-meat category carries a $300 entry fee, and teams must cook over charcoal, wood or pellets, with no gas or electric smokers allowed under KCBS rules. Organizers are also adding an ancillary smoked turkey breast category for $50, with the meat provided, and that category will include a People’s Choice award.
Greenley said community support has been one of the biggest surprises of the project so far. He said more than $17,000 in money and donations had already been raised to help launch the event, with $11,500 of that going directly toward prize money. He said much of that support has come from Knox County businesses and residents who wanted to help.
The public side of the weekend will begin Friday night. Organizers said the Hurdland Volunteer Fire Department & Ray Ray’s BBQ will host a cornhole tournament, with signups at 5 p.m. and bags flying at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $20 per person for the blind draw, with 100 percent payout and $500 guaranteed. A cruise-in hosted by Hunter’s Body Shop and Hot Rods is also planned, with people invited to simply bring a vehicle, park it, and enjoy the evening.
Friday night will also feature a $10 all you can eat wing ding. Organizers said Moink donated 400 pounds of chicken wings, and Mayberry Farms plans to bring in a large smoker to cook them on site.
Live music is scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. by Shaky Ground, and several vendors are expected to be on hand, including Crandall’s Family Farm Stand, Mitchell’s Kettlecorn, Plant Oncoming and Fizzy Moo.
Beyond the food and competition, organizers said the fundraiser is meant to help address real needs at the fairgrounds, including bathrooms, building improvements and electrical upgrades that could eventually support camper hookups and other events. Greenley said that kind of investment would benefit not only this weekend’s barbecue teams, but also future 4-H and fair activities.
If weather becomes an issue, organizers said they have a backup plan to move activities into Edina, around the north side of the courthouse and near the community center, to avoid rutting up the fairgrounds.
Greenley and Nixon said the weekend is about more than barbecue. Yes, there will be serious competition. Yes, there will be plenty to eat. But at its heart, Ring of Smoke is a community fundraiser aimed at helping local kids and improving the fairgrounds that serve Knox County year after year.
Anyone wanting updates, event details or signup information can follow the Knox County 4-H and FFA Ring of Smoke Facebook page, or contact John Greenley 660-341-1459 and Andre Nixon 573-406-4932
Even for those who do not follow competitive barbecue, organizers say there will be plenty to enjoy. Come hungry, bring a lawn chair, and spend a little time supporting a good cause in Edina on April 17th and 18th.
