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Cook-off plans progress

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The Battle for the Blade and the World Championship Dove Competition will take place in Albany the last weekend of September, and teams are encouraged to send in the $150 entry fee, fire up the grill, and compete in the International Barbeque Cookers Association sanctioned fourth annual Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-Off.

This is the first year that the local cook-off is part of the IBCA.

“I think that the IBCA carries a little more clout, and has stricter rules (than some of the other barbecue sanctioning organizations),” said organizer Ramby Anderson. “I think that will help attract more teams and bring more people to town. We are expecting a great turnout!”

The IBCA was started in Texas, in 1989, and currently has over 700 members. 

The 2018 Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-Off will take place in downtown Albany Sept. 28-29, and although the judging is weeks away, some teams have already won prizes.

Those entered by early deadlines were eligible to be included in up to three prize drawings. 

The first drawing on Aug. 3 was for two winners of $150 cash, and was won by The Wolfpack team of Jason Gardner, Shawn Sutton, Robert Hill, and Rodney Browning, and Owen Miller, Marc Sanders, Jeff Miller, and Wade Jones of Hoo-Yippers.

The second drawing took place on Aug. 25 and was for two winners of $100 cash. Winners were Smokin Guns (Joey Baker, Pat Baker, Lyn Baker, and Russell Baker), and Kickin Up Dust (Steven Hobbs, Melissa Hobbs, Wayne Bradford, and Suzanne Bradford.)

Stormi Carruth, with 2C Vacations, donated a three-day, two-night hotel accommodation for two as the prize for the third drawing, which was also held in late August. Warehouse BBQ cooks Kory and Claire Ware won the drawing.

“We are sitting at 20 teams and are hoping to see more support from the local teams again this year,” said organizer Justin Winters. “We appreciate all the support from the locals that have already entered their teams and the ones that plan on doing so soon. We are looking at bringing in a dozen or two more competition barbecue teams from across the state this year.”

Teams can sign up at fortgriffinbbq.com.

Online signup closes on Sept. 27 at 12:00 midnight so that cash prizes can be organized appropriately. 

The Battle for the Blade is sponsored by the First National Bank of Albany/Breckenridge and Lone Star Ag Credit.

Michael Whitmore of Serendipity Studio forged the trophy knife for the winning team again this year, and prize money will also be awarded to winners in three meat categories: Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, and Chicken Halves.

Bonus contests can be entered for $20 each, and are Steak, Bloody Mary, Dove, and Beans.

Steaks will be judged on Friday, Sept. 28, at 8:00 p.m., while winners in all other categories will be selected on Saturday, Sept. 29.

For more information contact Ramby Anderson or Winters at 325-668-8241.