BBQ For Badges Raises Funds For First Responders

Jake Barnes of Whet Your Pallet claims the Champion trophy from the inaugural BBQ for Badges.

Jake Barnes of Whet Your Pallet claims the Champion trophy from the inaugural BBQ for Badges.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The smoke was rolling through downtown Oskaloosa early Saturday morning. By noon, the smell was drawing a crowd to the 11 contestants who took on the challenge in an effort to claim that best BBQ for 2018.

Just seven weeks ago, Wyndell Campbell and Kory Wright had breakfast and came up with the idea of hosting the competition.

The competition started off competing against Mother Nature who brought some wind as participants were setting up around 4 am.

The smell drifted into Central Park as Christmas in July got underway, and scores of people found their way over to the southeast side of the square to get their wristbands for the all you can eat feast that took place around 4:30.

The money raised from the competition is going to area first responders to help them with their needs. “Hero’s don’t wear capes. We’ve got hero’s that dress up every day, wait for the bad stuff to happen, and they’re there when the bad stuff does happen. We thank them for what they do,” said Campbell. “This is just a little opportunity to give back to them for doing their job every day.”

Kory Wright, one of those behind BBQ for Badges, and also a participant, said that the BBQ contest is already planned to take place again next year. “Success,” is how Wright described the day.

“Next year will happen,” said Wright of next years BBQ contest. Wright hopes to fill up two city blocks with contestants next year.

“We sold out of food in 40 minutes. 400 people in 40 minutes,” Wright said of the community response to the BBQ challenge, which raised upwards of $3000 for area first responders.

While the band Small Town Superhero’s took a short break, the winners of the cookoff were announced.

For best meats:

Best Chicken – Bussey BBQ
Best Pork – Bussey BBQ
Best Ribs – Whet Your Pallet
Best Brisket – Smoke Daddies

Reserve Champions – Smoke Daddies
Champion – Whet Your Pallet
People’s Choice – Mahaska Sheriff’s Reserve Deputies

Whet Your Pallet and Smoke Daddies donated back their prize money for next year’s event.

Posted by on Jul 15 2018. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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