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Hey, Folks, it’s BBQ Season!

Beginning Friday at 4 p.m. the 15^th Annual Smoke on the Square BBQ competition returns with the delicious aroma of seasoned and smoked meats filling the Hope Town Square.

It’s not too late to get a taste of the competition, either.

Team registration – open to ALL levels of competitors – remains open through the event’s start Friday, organizers say.  

Hosted by the Community Center of Hope, the competition is the Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year and will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15 and 11 a.m. to sellout on Saturday, May 16. All meals will come with beans, chips and a drink.

Last year turned out great with an estimated net amount of $11,500 raised, organizers say.

And that included a one-time grant gifted the organization by the town of Hope.

“Attendance last year was a bit low due to weather and an active tornado threat,” says Chelsea Warriner, executive director of the Community Center of Hope. “But we’ve been really blessed with Smoke on the Square. It’s forecasted to rain this weekend, but we are hoping clear skies.”

When it comes to fundraising, this event is neck and neck with Heritage Days as far as fundraising, she adds.

“For me, it’s our biggest fundraiser,” Warriner says. “I love the food we do at Heritage Days, but you can’t beat good smoked meat that we have with this event.”

The competition is open to competitors with any size grill, smoker or cooker, organizers say, and is limited to charcoal and wood ONLY. Sorry, no gas grills allowed.

[Competitor Registration form available HERE]

Winners are determined by a panel of judges, the competition’s website says.

Per competition rules, meat will be judged on taste/flavor and texture/tenderness. [Competition Rules available HERE]

Registration fees are $100 for meat categories (including chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and beef) and $5 for BBQ Sauce and Dessert. There are NO refunds of registration, according to the competition’s web site. On site set up begins at 12 p.m. Friday.

“The winners are determined by a panel of judges that consists of several Kansas City Barbeque Society certified and other trained judges,” the competition's registration form states. “Judges will determine the winners in each category of beef, chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork, dessert, and sauce.”

The Prize Money Breakdown this year is as follows:
Per EACH CATEGORY --
1^st Place - $200 + Trophy
2^nd Place - $150 + Trophy
3^rd Place - $75 + Trophy

1^st Place Dessert - $50 + Trophy
1^st Place BBQ Sauce - $50 + Trophy

4^th – 10^th Place – Ribbon

Grand Champion – Trophy
Reserve Grand Champion – Trophy

Regardless if you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned veteran, Community Center of Hope Board President Jeff Yarnell recommends people show up early and hungry. 

Even in the face of inclement weather last year the event was sold out before it's scheduled cutoff on Friday evening.

"Given how quickly things went these past couple of years," Yarnell says. "I would recommend everyone get there at 4 p.m. Don't wait." 

Warriner is hopeful for a great crowd whose ready to have a good time. 

“I hope they enjoy the bands as we all come together this weekend in supporting the Community Center,” she says.

Proceeds from this year’s Smoke on the Square will benefit the Hope Community Center and its array of community services and programs that benefit area children and families, including educational programs like the center’s early learning and before/after school programs and summer camp.