Date set for 4th annual Fort Griffin BBQ cook-off

The fourth annual Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-Off will take place in downtown Albany on the weekend of Sept. 28-29. Entry fee for the cook-off is $150 per team.

“I signed my team up today,” said Albany Chamber of Commerce president Ramby Anderson on Tuesday. “I’m excited about it, and so is my family!”

Anderson’s “Second Ham Smoke” team joined “Undercooked & Overserved,” “bbq_ye5epl,” and “Llano it’s GOOD BBQ,” as early entries in the contest.

Michael Whitmore of Serendipity Studio is once again creating a custom-made knife as the trophy for the winning team, and prize money will also be awarded to winners in three meat categories: Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, and Chicken Halves.

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

“We are sanctioned by the International Barbecue Cookers Association this year,” said Anderson. “The IBCA rules are a little stricter, but they carry a little more clout. We are expecting a great turn out for teams, and bigger cash payouts with good sponsor support.”

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

“Our goal is to support Texas history and Big Country tourism through this family-fun event,” said organizer Justin Winters. “We try to promote the Fandangle, Fort Griffin State Park, and local history.” 

In its first three years, the contest was staged at the Prairie Theater parking lot, but because of wet weather, was held in the downtown area last year.

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

Teams can enter online at www.fortgriffinbbq.com.