Circle July 23rd and 24th on your calendar and come to downtown Effingham, IL for the EffingHAM-JAM and Kansas City BBQ Society State BBQ Championship, sponsored by Coors Light in cooperation with Koerner Distributor. Thanks to the City of Effingham, participants will be able to move around the event area with beverages purchased at the Beer Tent.

Barbecue Teams from all over the United States will be traveling to Downtown Effingham this weekend to compete for cash and bragging rights at the EffingHAM-JAM BBQ Cookoff located on the Courthouse grounds.

Proceeds from the event will support the Chamber Foundation of Effingham County’s Scholarship Program as well as the Foundation’s community-wide initiatives. In July, the Foundation will officially debut EC-JOBS (Effingham County Job Opportunities for Business Success). EC-JOBS is a web-based platform that is being created specifically for Effingham County school districts, Lake Land College, and county businesses. EC-JOBS creates a talent pipeline from school to work for high school students, community college students, parents, displaced workers, and incumbent workers. Be on the lookout for more information soon.

Friday evening’s Hometown Throwdown local BBQ competition sets the stage for a weekend of great BBQ, music, food, and fun! Your team of amateur BBQ enthusiasts can compete for category trophies, a Taste for Ticket award, and $250 cash prize for the Grand Champion team! Loose Lips (formerly known as Fish On) featuring Effingham’s own Myles Baker, will perform from 7-10:30 pm.

Saturday is the official KCBS State Championship Competition, but there will be plenty of other things to enjoy, starting the day off with the popular Effingham Farmer’s Market, along with the EffingHAM-JAM Open Mic.

Competitor and vendor information/applications are now available here and spaces are available at a low price of $100 per booth for the whole weekend. (Food vendor pricing is also available.)