The 2019 Pecan Festival BBQ Competition is coming in just a month and the application deadline is approaching.

The barbecue competition will be held Saturday, June 8.

There are two different categories that people can sign up for, according to Ken Anderson, who is organizing the event.

The first is the BBQ Competition. To enter, interested parties have to pay a $65 entry fee per team and must provide their own meat. Teams can be any size from individuals to even church congregations. Each team must have a designated head cook.

The second contest is the Taster's Choice Competition. Entry for this competition is free and a pork shoulder/ butt will be provided to contestants for use in the competition. Anyone interested in the Tasters Choice competition, need to get their entry forms in as soon as possible so the BBQ chairman will know how much meat to purchase. Each team competing in the tasters choice will be provided a sealed box which will hold the tasters votes as they work their way through the competition. Tasters choice kits can be purchased the day of the competition for $10 and rules are similar to the chili contest. Each taster will be given a single ticket which they will drop in their favorite barbecuer’s box. However, Anderson wants to encourage meat lovers to come and eat their fill. “It’s really an all you can eat sort of taste test,” Anderson said. “We didn’t come close to running out of meat last year and we had a lot of people tasting.” Public Safety Teams will also be competing for a traveling trophy. The winner will receive a trophy with a plaque on it that displays their name and they will be able to hold onto the trophy for the year. “Last year the Okmulgee police were the only group to enter the public safety competition,” Anderson said. “I’m hoping to get some other teams this year so we can have a good competition.” Judging for will begin at 12 noon on Saturday and categories will be judged in the following order:

• Pork butt 12 p.m. (11:55 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.)

• Pork ribs 12:30 p.m. (12:25 p.m. – 12:35 p.m.) A late turn in will not be accepted by the representative and will not be scored. Competition Entry Rules:

a) Entry must be in the container provided by the Chairman only. The assigned number must be on top of the container turned in. The container must have no markings on it other than the assigned number when you receive it.

b) The meat may not be marked in any way to make it identifiable.

c) Sauce is optional, but it must be applied directly to the meat. No side sauce in any way.

d) Garnish is optional, but if used it must be green leaf lettuce or parsley. Lettuce may be whole leaf, chopped or shredded. Green only. Any other colors are prohibited.

e) No items are to be in the container other than the meat and garnish.

f) You will receive three containers for each category for each of the three judges. Pork butt will have one 3 to 4 oz. portion in each of the three containers. Pork ribs will have one Rib in each of the three containers.

g) Breaking any of the above mentioned BBQ Competition Rules will result in a score of 1 on the item being judged. Each team needs to supply all the equipment necessary for the preparation and cooking of their entry. Sharing of grills is not permitted during the competition. Also, there is no gas or electric allowed, except for the starting of the grill at which point it must be shut off for the remainder of the cooking process. While the fuel options are limited, this year all cookers, both commercially manufactured or homemade, are allowed to compete. There are also no rules for how to prepare the meat. “This isn’t sanctioned so it’s kind of anything goes as far as the meat preparing goes,” Anderson said. “Marinades, rubs, different smoke blends and anything else they can think of are OK as long as the meat is safe to eat and is OKed by the judges at time of judging.” To qualify for either Grand Champion or Reserve Champion a team must submit entries for all categories. The prizes are as follows: First place pork ribs: $250 Second place pork ribs: $100 First place pork butt/shoulder: $250 Second place pork butt/ shoulder: $100 Pecan Festival BBQ Grand Champion: $300 Tasters Choice prizes are as follows: First place: $250 Second place: $100 In the event of a tie in any of the categories, a roll of the dice will determine the winner. Applications can be found on the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce website and can also be obtained by contacting Ken Anderson at 918-724-8100 or PecanFestival.Ken@gmail.com.So bring out your best recipe, grab some friends and join the competition. Maybe you could be the grand champion this year.