The 11th annual Smokin' Gobbler BBQ Cookoff will take place today and Saturday at the Nobles County Fairgrounds in Worthington.
Participating teams will compete for points in categories that include ribs, chicken, pork butt and beef brisket.
The event is a fundraiser for Worthington's King Turkey Day. Nearly 40 teams are slated to participate in the cookoff event.
Many of those taking part in this weekend's Smokin' Gobbler Cookoff travel around the MIdwest in search of Kansas City Barbecue Society points, and the Worthington event is KCBS-sanctioned. Additionally, approximately 40 judges are traveling to Worthington for the cookoff.
Ribs and smoked turkey contests are scheduled for Friday evening. The KCBS contest is set for Saturday and includes judging of chicken at noon. ribs at 12:30 p.m., pork butt at 1 p.m. and brisket at 1:30 p.m. People may head to the fairgrounds to watch the cookoff, though food from the event will not be sold to the public. People should also not interact with the competitors between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday; that's when entries will be being prepared for judges.
The contest will conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday with awards and raffle drawing. Meats will be judged on appearance, taste and texture. Raffle tickets, meanwhile, are available at the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce and any member of the King Turkey Day Board of Directors.
