EffingHam Jam is This Weekend

BBQ Teams from Illinois and surrounding states will be arriving in Effingham this week to compete for cash and bragging rights at the EffingHAM JAM, an officially sanctioned Kansas City Barbeque Society State Championship Cook off. The event is returning to Effingham for its third year and will be held on the grounds at Legacy Harley Davidson.

This year's event is being co-sponsored by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and funds from the weekend's activities will support the Chamber Community Scholarship Program. According to Chamber Board Chairman Mark Probst this event is designed to create a community draw and he encourages the community to come out and support the event.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts, with over 15,000 members worldwide and sanctions over 400 barbeque events coast-to-coast throughout America, Canada and Mexico. KCBS can be seen in action on the hit TV show, BBQ Pitmasters.

EffingHAM JAM events kick off with a sold-out Chamber member event Thursday night, featuring a meal prepared by Effingham's own Joe Moore of Moore Smoke BBQ, a top finisher in the 2013 KCBS State Championship. Moore is a competitor in this year's Championship Cook-off event as well. Thursday's event also includes music by Reverend Robert and other fun activities.

Friday evening's activities get underway with the opening of food and vendor booths at 5 p. m. Free musical performances include Kilborn Alley Blues Band at 6 p. m., followed by the Logan Thompson Band at 8:30 p. m. Visitors can also check out the barbeque contestant area and learn more about the teams who have traveled to Effingham for the competition. A Chamber Celebrity Judging event will take place Friday evening, with $1,000 in cash and trophies to be given to the winning teams in chicken, pork and dessert categories. Celebrity judging teams represent Agracel, Inc., AKRA Builders, Artcraft Press, Bray Title Services, Country Inn & Suites, First National Bank of Dieterich, Holiday Inn, J & J Ventures, John Boos & Company, Koerner Distributor, ReMax Key Advantage, Thelma Keller Convention Center and Wortman Printing Company.

Vendor booths open at 11 a. m. Saturday and the official KCBS Barbeque Championship Competition gets underway at 1 p. m. with teams competing in chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork and brisket competition. Judging concludes at 3 p. m. and the official awards ceremony wraps up the KCBS Championship event at 5 p. m. Free live music on Saturday includes The Lemon Brothers Band at Noon and the Bumpin' Uglies at 2 p. m.

Free shuttle service is being offered for the convenience of visitors to the event, with parking available at the Midland States Bank Corporate Headquarters and Patterson Technology Service. Shuttles will run continuously from 5 to 9 p. m. Thursday, June 26, 4 to 10:30 p. m. Friday, June 27 and from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Saturday, June 28.

Event sponsors for EffingHAM JAM include Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, First National Bank of Dieterich, Koerner Distributor, Boos Butcher Block Shop, Artcraft Press, Wortman Printing Company, Hodgson Mill and Jansen's Heating & Air.

For more information, contact the Chamber office at 217-342-4147 or visit their website at www.effinghamchamber.org.