Linn Valley to host Smokin' in the Valley barbecue cook-off on Friday and Saturday

There will be plenty of meat on the grill this weekend as Linn Valley hosts a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event. (Wix file photo)

Journal staff report

LINN VALLEY – Smokin’ in the Valley, a barbecue cook-off featuring 33 teams is set to run this Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at the Linn Valley campgrounds. The barbecue contest, which will feature teams from as far away as Canada, Arkansas and Illinois is a fundraiser for the Linn Valley Community Pride Scholarship fund, according to Pam Taylor, one of the event’s organizers.

In addition to the pit masters, the event will have live music, about 20 venders selling everything from specialty coffee to Scentsy to Western wear.

The barbecue competition is expected to generate about $5,000 in prize money and at least $6,000 to the scholarship fund. In addition more than $1,500 worth of raffle items will be awarded.

Eight teams from Linn Valley Lakes will be competing as well as teams from Colorado, and Missouri as well as eight teams from across Kansas.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on Friday with team check-in. The vending area opens at 5 p.m. with live music by Travis Marvin at 6 p.m. and a campground stroll at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the day begins at 6 a.m. with coffee and burritos. The vending area opens at 9 a.m. Teams begin turning in their meat entries at noon, and the raffle drawing and awards ceremony is slated for 3:30 p.m.

The gates to Linn Valley will be open for the event, Taylor said.