BBQ flavored fundraiser on the Hope Town Square starts today

The biggest, and tastiest, fundraiser for the Community Center of Hope, kicks off tonight with Smoke on the Square.

Jeff Yarnell, organizer for the competition and a board member of the community center, said that the event surpassed Hope Heritage Days as a fundraising activity for the center. Without the funding from Smoke on the Square, the organization could not be working to improve the childcare program at the center.

"It is actually a really important year for us, because as a center, (Director) Chelsea (Warriner) has had the lead on many projects for us this year," Yarnell said. "Getting more licensing. We have already done playground renovations. We have done building modifications to attain our licensing. We have a lot going on. And so we really hope this is a good successful year for us."

There are 15 teams registered for this year's competition, down slightly from previous years, Yarnell said. 

"Some of the teams got threw off a little bit because we always have it the second weekend of June, and even though this is the second weekened of June, it is the 8th, and people are used to it being a little bit later in the month than that," Yarnell said. "So we are a little short of teams but that is OK.". 

As always, there will be a People's Choice Award, where attendees can sample the full line of entries and choose their favorites. Only 100 people can take part in that portion of the event and it usually sells out quickly, Yarnell said. You can take part in that voting Saturday at about 4 p.m., he said.

New this year is the one-bite challenge, being sponsored by Tri County Enhance Wood Renewal and with trophy sponsor Big JT's BBQ in Columbus. Yarnell says he will be pulling a mystery meat for the chefs and they will have an hour to prepare it for a taste test. Entry fee for that part of the competition is $5.

The competition runs from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9th. You can purchase meals including pulled pork, brisket, hot dog and chicken. Food will be served until it runs out, Yarnell says. 

The Haw Creek Experience Band will play on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.