The smell of barbecue will soon permeate the air at the Washington County Fairgrounds for the 28th Annual State Barbecue Championship of Nebraska.
The event, which will take place Aug. 13-15, is sponsored by the Greater Omaha BBQ Society (GOBS).
GOBS president Kris Gates said this is the third year the contest has been located at the fairgrounds. Last year, there were 29 teams and so far there are at least 20 this year.
This year will include a kids cue competition open to local kids who want to cook.
"It's usually kids of teams that are already there," Gates said. "Parents just supervise. There's also a backyard contest for those who want to try their hand."
Gates said new this year will be a turkey smoke done by the National Turkey Federation and KCBS. The turkey breast is provided to the competitors.
A pancake breakfast will take place from 6-9 a.m. Aug. 14-15. Separate from the contest will be a corn hole competition Aug. 13-14.
Gates said any extra funds or donations that come in will support The Bridge and Camp Fontanelle.
"We don't do the competition to raise money for us," she said. "We are nonprofit and we want to turn it around for the communities where we are at."
There will be a few food trucks for attendees, who can also ask questions of the competitors.
