Holtfield Station hosts HUBA barbecue challenge July 6

So you think you can cook some mean barbecue?

Well, here's your opportunity to show your stuff!

The Hillsboro Uptown Business Association (HUBA) will host their first barbecue contest in conjunction with the 2012 Festival of the Bells.

The contest will take place at Holtfield Station's parking lot on South High Street, where participants will set up their grills and accessories to compete for the title of "Top Butt Cooker."

It all begins the evening of Friday, July 6 at 9 p.m. when participants will receive their pork butt to barbecue on premise. They will have until 9:30 a.m. Saturday to prepare their entry for judging. Everyone will get the same cut of meat and approximately the same weight (10 pounds) to cook.

The contest will be limited to the first 15 entrants. John Hern, chairman of the event, stated that they already have nine confirmed entries. Most of the entrants are local businesses that are sponsoring a cooking team for a fee of $50, which includes the pork butt from Community Market.

"We are very pleased with the response that we have received so far, and we really haven't publicized it," Hern said.

Teams will be able to display signs promoting their sponsor and are encouraged to do a theme or wear T-shirts with the name of their cooking team on it.

"In fact, one of the awards will be for showmanship," Hern said.

The judging committee will consist of six judges. Some of the judges are recognizable people from the community such as Mayor Drew Hastings, Rick Williams, Rachelle Trefz and Larry Chapman, who is a veteran barbecue judge, having judged national and regional competitions.

After the judging, all of the meat will be prepared for barbecue sandwiches, which will be available to the public for a donation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Holtfield Station. All proceeds will go to the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association.

"We are looking forward to a fun evening with much fraternizing and friendly competition," Hern said.

If you are interested in entering a team, please contact John Hern at (937) 393-7055 or pick up an entry form at Cellular Solutions at 132 South High St. in uptown Hillsboro.