Smokefest August 17-18 at SMSU

Competitive barbecue returns to Marshall for the 12th annual Southwest Minnesota State University Smokefest, which will be held Aug. 17-18 at SMSU.

Event coordinator Josh Scholten anticipates up to 45 barbecue teams will compete this year for $11,000 in cash prizes.

Smokefest has become a regional favorite as teams from across the Midwest vie for top honors.

Teams will arrive Aug. 17 and begin setting up in the parking lot next to the R/A Facility. Teams will barbecue four meats — chicken, brisket, ribs and shoulder (pulled pork) — and those will be turned in for judging starting around noon on Aug. 18.

Results will be announced at approximately 4 p.m. in the R/A Facility.

Smokefest is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, with the grand champion qualifying for a drawing to advance to the Jack Daniels Invitational competition in Tennessee.

The overall winner automatically qualifies for the Royal Barbecue Contest in Kansas City. The public is invited to attend the event and watch how competition barbecue teams smoke the various cuts of meat.