The All-American BackStoppers Bar-B-Que will return for a seventh year on Saturday, Sept. 24.
The event will be from 11 a.m. to dark at the Big River VFW, 1 Lynn Lane, in Cedar Hill.
Chuck Gerding, who organizes the event, said St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird will make an appearance from 3-4 p.m., and KSHE Radio mascot Sweetmeat will be on hand from 3-5 p.m.
A monster truck named Bigfoot will be at the event all day, Gerding said.
Gerding said the World Bird Sanctuary will hold a demonstration with a bald eagle during the event.
“It’s a beautiful bird, we had it last year,” he said. “That’s a big hit with the kids.”
The day will end with a fireworks show.
Live music will be provided by local bands Killer Whales, Rock Creek Band and Ragz and Friends.
“It’s a good blend of music,” he said.
A bounce house for children will be open.
All the money raised from the event goes to BackStoppers, which provides support to families of first responders who are killed or severely injured in the line of duty.
“(BackStoppers) is a wonderful organization and they do a tremendous job for the injured and deceased first responders,” Gerding said.
He said last year’s event raised about $69,000.
“It just grows every year and if the weather’s good, I’m hoping we can beat that,” he said.
Gerding said money is raised from food sales, as well as a raffle, silent auction and 50/50 raffle.
He said one of the items in the auction will be four St. Louis Blues hockey tickets, together valued at about $2,100.
The first prize in the raffle will be a Polaris Ranger 1000 XP UTV, the second prize a $1,000 gift card and the third prize a large-screen TV.
Raffle tickets may be purchased in advance from Gerding Enterprises, 404 Amy Lane, in Dittmer.
“Tickets are $10 apiece and if you buy $100 worth you get 11 and we’re only selling 4,500,” he said. “It’s very good odds.”
All the food, including smoked ribs, pork steaks, half chickens, brats and hot dogs, will be cooked on the Screaming Eagle Grill, which Gerding owns.
He also owns Gerding Enterprises, the main sponsor of the event.
Gerding said any first responder in uniform or with an ID may eat for free.