Events and Activities : Let’s get Fired-Up - Farm Bureau to hold Annual Cookout Contest

After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Benton County Farm Bureau is coming in HOT and ready to hold its 13th Annual Cookout Contest. The Cookout Contest is set for Saturday, June 26 at the fairgrounds in Vinton and will be held in conjunction with other Benton County Fair activities. There is no cost to enter the contest, although pre-registration is requested. Interested grillers are asked to call the Benton County Farm Bureau office at (319) 472-4710 or e-mail benton.county@ifbf.org.

"You do not have to be a professional cook to participate," says Bill Newton, contest coordinator. The Cookout Contest has been growing every year since Farm Bureau began sponsoring the event in 2007. Grillers are competitive and get creative with their meat preparation while enjoying the county fair activities.

"This is a fun contest to promote quality Iowa meat," says Newton. Judging of entries will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the grilling categories are beef, pork, lamb, poultry, turkey and combo/specialty. There is also a youth category for grillers age 13 to 18 years of age. Entries are judged on the basis of taste, appearance and originality.

Cash prizes will be awarded to first-place winners in each category and a Grand Champion will be named for 2021. All first-place category winners will have the chance to compete again with their winning entry in the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Come join the excitement and help Farm Bureau bring the heat at the 13th Annual Cookout Contest during the Benton County Fair on Saturday, June 26. Please contact the Benton County Farm Bureau office for more details and to register.