Cookout contest set at Jefferson County Fair

This year, the Jefferson County Farm Bureau is bringing back the Cookout Contest to the Greater Jefferson County Fair June 25.

There is no entry fee to compete, and winners in each category will receive prizes and the chance to compete at the Iowa State Fair. The only eligibility requirement is to be a resident of Iowa; competitors do not need to be a Farm Bureau member to enter.

The entries will be judged on the basis of taste, appearance and originality. Contestants can compete in any of six categories: beef, pork, lamb/goat, poultry, turkey, or combo/specialty. Combo is a combination of at least two of the six meats in one recipe. Specialty includes elk or any other Iowa domestically raised product excluding wild game.

A cookout champion will be named at 4 p.m. and awards will be presented in each category. Special recognition also will go to winners of the showmanship, youth and team cooking categories.

The Jefferson County cookout champion, along with all the first-place category winners and winners of the showmanship, youth and team awards will have the chance to compete in the state finals at the Iowa State Fair.

To register for the free county cookout contest or to receive a copy of the rules and entry form, contact the Jefferson County Farm Bureau at 472-2128 or jefferson.county@ifbf.org.

Registration is 10 a.m. to noon June 25 at the fairgrounds, but participants can set up ahead of time, if their entry requires longer to cook.