(Received 8/21/2013 from Mary Risley)

Collinsville, Oklahoma, August 16, 2013 - The BBQ competition playing field just got a little bit bigger. Collinsville Downtown, Inc. announced this week that they have added a new category to the Back Alley BBQ competition which will take place on August 24 as part of the Tri-County Fair and Founder’s Day event. . BBQ enthusiasts can now compete for bragging rights to preparing the best side dishes to go along with the grilled and smoked meat.
Entry fees are $25 per entry in the competition. Categories include beef, pork and now side dishes. Meats can be smoked, grilled, or roasted. Side Dishes can include anything you like to prepare to go along with tasty barbeque.
Coordinated by Collinsville Downtown, Inc. as a fundraiser for the downtown revitalization organization, the Back Alley BBQ hopes to bring approximately 20 teams to Collinsville to compete for money and bragging rights in a city with a rich heritage in agriculture and livestock which is celebrated annually at the Tri-County Fair and Founder’s Day event.
Ribbons will be given to the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places in each category and one Best All Around will be chosen from the meat categories and will receive a $250 cash prize. A $100 cash prize will be awarded for the Best All Around Side Dish. A People’s Choice Award will be given to entries in both meat and side dish categories voted on by general public.

The Collinsville Feed Store will be the Premier Sponsor for this event but additional sponsorship opportunities are still available to any businesses or individuals who would like to be a part of this new event concept pairing the enthusiasm of barbeque cooking with the new found popularity of our downtown shopping district.

The event will be free to the public, and those wishing to purchase a “Tasting Kit” for only $5 will be able to sample the wares of those competing and vote for the People Choice Award for their favorite entries.

“We are excited about the response we’ve already received, but are looking forward to getting more entries. After listening to the requests of our followers, we decided to add the side dish category to the competition,” says Collinsville Downtown, Inc. Promotions Chairman, Sherry Campbell.

The site of the cook-off, will be as the name represents, off of Main Street, as to not disrupt other Founder’s Day activities taking place. Event organizers will be using the City Plaza and surrounding parking areas and even space provided by the back allies of downtown Collinsville.

For more information about the Back Alley BBQ Cook Off call the C.D.I. office at (918) 371-5530 or visit our website for more information. Entry forms can also be downloaded at http://www.collinsvilledowntowninc.com/backalleybbq.htm. You can also follow Collinsville Downtown, Inc. on Facebook and Twitter.

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The 68th annual Tri-County Fair is scheduled August 22 through 25 in downtown Collinsville. Special emphasis is being placed on this year’s livestock shows as many northeast Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members will be bringing their prize livestock to compete for ribbons and premium money. Many first time exhibitors look forward to gaining experience in the show ring as they prepare for the larger fall fairs.

The West Main Event Center will be the location of the 4-H indoor exhibits with entry time 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, August 22. That evening the Dog Show entries will be accepted at 6 p.m. with show time around 7 p.m. in the fair barn arena.

All livestock shows take place in the fair barn arena (10th & Center) and schedules include: Friday/Aug 23, Junior Beef Show, 7 p.m.; Saturday/Aug 24, Rabbit Show begins at 9 a.m. (entries accepted 7:30-8 a.m.); Sheep Show, 10 a.m. and the Meat Goat Show will follow the Sheep Show at approximately 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, Swine Show, show time 10 a.m.

Aside from the livestock shows, other Saturday events will include: The 4-H and FFA tractor driving contest (on American Legion parking lot) at 9 a.m.; Kiddie Tractor Pull will follow the tractor driving contest in the same location; the Turtle Race will follow the Kiddie Tractor Pull (entry fee $1/turtle). Spectators should bring their lawn chairs. In the West Main Event Center craft vendors will have a variety of items for sale all day. Booth space is still available. Anyone may enter the Pie Baking Contest (see details on cvillok.com). Entries will be received at 9:30 with judging to follow, then ribbons and awards will be handed out. 4-H exhibits will be released at 3 p.m.

The newly reorganized Collinsville FFA Alumni Group will be in charge of the fair barn concession stand this year. Fair exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to support their efforts.

Founder’s Day activities will be up and down Main Street all day Saturday. Inflatables for the kids will be set up in front of the depot museum/caboose

We encourage you to come out for this August event in downtown Collinsville. Remember to check out cvilleok.com/TriCountyFair for further information. See you at the Fair!

Submitted by Susan Worstell
8/21/2013