HAM-JAM is Here!

EffingHAM-JAM for 2022 is here!

Downtown Effingham will be transformed to a barbecue-lovers paradise tonight and Saturday as teams from all over the United States travel in for the Kansas City BBQ Society State (KCBS) BBQ Championship surrounding the Courthouse grounds.

Net proceeds from the event will support the Chamber Foundation of Effingham County which is the philanthropic arm of the Chamber. The Chamber Foundation provides educational opportunities for youth and the local workforce to build and strengthen themselves in a personal and business capacity through the scholarship program. This program provides $1,000 continuing education scholarships to area high school seniors and adults who are starting/continuing their secondary education.

EffingHAM-JAM, presented by Koerner Distributor, Inc. was designed to encourage locals and beyond to head Downtown, grub on barbecue, enjoy a variety of delicious eats, cool off with cold beverages, and dance to live music all while supporting local businesses and the Effingham community.

Classic Hits 97.9XFM and KJ Country 102.3 will be broadcasting live from HAM-JAM from 4 to 6pm today during The Drive Home.

The weekend activities get underway this evening at 5:00 p.m. with a variety of food trucks, vendors, and the Koerner Distributor beer tent. At 5:30 p.m. judging and tastings for the Hometown Throwdown Challenge begin, sponsored by Big Papa’s, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, and Patterson Technology. Teams of amateur BBQ enthusiasts compete for category trophies and a $250 cash prize for the Grand Champion. This sets the stage for a weekend of great BBQ, music, food & beverage, and fun for the entire family.

Local band, The Troubadours, and one of Nashville’s finest rock and roll bands, Loose Lips, featuring Effingham’s own Myles Baker, are back this year and will be on stage beginning at 5:30pm for your entertainment pleasure.

Start your Saturday off at 8:00 a.m. perusing the Effingham Farmers Market and indulging in a 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. complimentary pancake, sausage & coffee breakfast sponsored by Continental Mills, McMahon Meats, & Fox Holler Coffee.

Food trucks, vendors, and the beer tent will be back in action at 10:00 a.m. encouraging you to support local vendors offering a variety of food and non-food items.

This year's HAM-JAM brings back the Children’s Activity area sponsored by C.E.F.S. starting at 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. where all ages can enjoy face painting, an obstacle course, bean bag toss, crafts, and more fun-filled games. The crowd will have the opportunity to get right next to an Effingham Army Recruiting off Army vehicle, Effingham Fire Department truck, Effingham Police Department car, and JT’s Tree Service monster truck.

The KCBS Professional Competition will get underway at 12:00 p.m. with teams competing in a variety of delicious categories. The official KCBS awards ceremony wraps up the day at 3:00 p.m.

More information and list of vendors & sponsors can be found online at EffingHAMJAM.com, EffinghamCountyChamber.com/Events, or the HAM-JAM Facebook page @EffingHamJam.