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August 12, 2009

Battle of the BBQ returns

By Marda Johnson/The Lebanon Reporter

Lebanon — The Boone County Cancer Society will play host to the Second Annual Battle of the BBQ from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Lebanon Memorial Park.

Thirty-seven teams have signed up to prepare barbecue pork loins in an event that’s part culinary challenge, part family night out and part fundraiser.

Julie Klinedinst, executive director of the Boone County Cancer Society, said the support from the residents and businesses in the community was the biggest surprise when the Battle of the BBQ was held for the very first time last August.

“There was more community involvement than we thought there would be,” Klinedinst said.

The inaugural event was sold out, raising more than $10,000 for the society.

“We hope to meet or exceed that this year,” Klinedinst said.

This year there will be more barbecue available to diners; K&R;’s Hogwild BBQ will cook extra pork loins to serve to people who have difficulty going booth to booth and to assure there is plenty of barbecue for everyone. Hot dogs will be available for children who don’t want barbecue.

The teams who will be making the bulk of the barbecue represent individuals, families, businesses, and groups including firefighters and police.

“Anybody who wants to have a team can have a team,” Klinedinst noted.

Like last year, churches, businesses and community groups will donate side items and drinks, so those who attend will be served a full meal.

Event admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 10. Children younger than 3 will be admitted without charge.

In addition to the meal, the afternoon will include music provided by a DJ all afternoon, and a concert by Sundown Band starting at 5 p.m. Thorntown Kiwanis will sell concessions from noon to 4:30, with proceeds benefiting BCCS. A bounce house for kids is being donated by Kipp Brothers Toys & Novelties, and face painting will be available.

“We want to keep it a family event,” Klinedinst said.

Before the consumption of the barbecue, there will be the battle of the barbecue.

Each team competing will prepare two pork loins. The barbecued pork will be judged in one of three different categories: Sweet sauce, hot-n-spicy and marinated/dry rub.

The grand prize will be a Holland Grill, donated again this year by Indy Tractor. New this year is a little boost for each of the teams. Ed and Russell Hardin of United Feed, in conjunction with Tyson, are donating 500 pounds of pork — that’s 50 loins — so that the teams get one free loin to help with expenses.

Even after judging, there will be one more test for the chefs — as diners fix their plates, they will sample barbecue made by different teams and determine people’s choice by voting, via donations, at a central location.

Proceeds from the entire event will be used to help local residents who have cancer. The Boone County Cancer Society, a not-for-profit organization, helps pay for prescriptions, loans medical equipment and helps cover the cost of transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. Except for one part-time employee, the society is run by volunteers.

Klinedinst said it’s been a busy year for the local cancer society. Since the last Battle of the BBQ, the society has moved into a new and more accessible facility. The society also has provided about 20 percent more help over the previous year.

“There is that much more need,” Klinedinst said. She said the cause of the growing need is two-fold — the recent economy, and an increase in the diagnosis of breast cancer in the county, which Klinedinst attributes to new technology in use at Witham Memorial Hospital.

“The biggest challenge is that the numbers will continue to go up and we want to have the funds to help. Our goal is to help everyone who has a need,” she said.

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