Swimming pools may have closed over the Labor Day weekend – or maybe not – but another favorite summer activity, barbecuing, continues on unabated into the autumn.
This weekend, a pair of benefit events featuring grilled meats will be held, both with the idea of helping good causes.
In Cedar Hill, Gerding Enterprises of Dittmer will hold its second annual BBQ Benefit for Backstoppers on Saturday (Oct. 7).
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Big River VFW, 1 Lynn Lane, in Cedar Hill, or until food runs out.
Pork steaks, chicken legs, ribs and hot dogs will be sold with sides; plates are priced at $2 to $10. Water, soda and beer also will be sold.
The day will include raffles for a motorcycle, a $1,000 gift card and a large-screen TV as well as other items donated by local businesses.
There will be a 50-50 drawing, a petting zoo from 3-6 p.m. and fireworks after dusk.
Last year’s event raised more than $12,000.
For details or to buy raffle tickets, call Gina at 636-274-9802.
If you like a little more competition in your grilling, a backyard barbecue contest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7) at Festus’s West City Park, Old State Hwy. A, in Festus. Proceeds will go to the Habsieger Scholarship Foundation.
Check in time is 7:30-8 a.m. There will be two meat categories, ribs and pork butts. Entry fee is $50 per meat entry; $75 if you enter both meat categories. Prizes will be awarded for first through sixth place in each meat category and first through third place for People’s Choice Award, with the presentation at 5 p.m.
Adult beverages will be provided with paid entry.
For entry form and rules, go to ww.habsiegerfoundation.org or send an email to Paul Skinner at Paul.Skinner@sgsco.com or Ryun Kasten at kastenr@foxc6.com.
Those who get the competitive grilling bug can return to West City Park the next weekend, for another backyard barbecue competitionOct. 14.
The competition will be sanctioned and judged by the St. Louis BBQ Society.
Entries will be judged at noon in four categories – chicken, ribs and pork steaks, and awards will go to the top five plus a grand champion and reserve grand champion.
The first entry must be turned in by 10:30 a.m.
Those entering the barbecue competition can set up on Friday, Sept. 13. Seminars by pro teams and judges will be given at 7 p.m. Friday.
For information, call Mike Bippen at 314-409-5121. For complete rules and registration forms, check stlouisbbqsociety.com or cityoffestus.org.