We have a record number of competitors at Praise the Lard this year: 9 MBN teams, 61 KCBS teams, and 14 teams cooking in BOTH categories totaling 84 teams. The blown glass apples above are some of the trophies for the contest, expertly crafted by the Douglass School Art Place in Murphysboro.

Are you cooking, judging, or volunteering in some way? Sign in the comment section below and tell us your favorite part of contest or to what you’re most looking forward.

We’re in full-on prep mode for the 26th annual Praise the Lard – Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off. The 1-7 pit crew has been working around the clock to organize our largest ever event — we’re rolling out the welcome mat for close to 90 teams, dozens of volunteers and judges, and thousands of people from all over the world who will come to celebrate a beautiful fall weekend in Southern Illinois.

Of special interest this year is our first-ever Townsend Spice Kids’ Que. We’re accepting entries in two age categories — 7–12 and 13–15. Children can cook alone or with a friend. We’ll provide the grills {which you get to take home}, a t-shirt, charcoal, and 1.5 lbs. of hamburger for each team. Teams are responsible for condiments, seasonings, necessary tools, and garnishes. Entry fee is $30 per team and space is limited to 10 teams in each age group. Download an application and rules here.

We have close to 90 teams this year, hailing from New York to Texas. There’s always a little confusion about the barbecue during a contest. The teams are cooking for the contest only. Due to health department regulations, they’re not allowed to sell their food. They do, however, love to meet new people and you’re welcome to walk around the team tents on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoon {after turn-ins are complete}, and welcome them to town. Please note that Saturday morning/early afternoon is NOT a good time to chat with teams as they are in competition mode and finishing their entries for the judges.

There will be barbecue and lots of libations available at the stand outside 17th Street and the Thursday and Friday evening events are open to the public as well. Tickets available at the door. Be sure to join us for live music at each event. After Barbed Wire is the terrific band for Thursday night and they’ll be playing inside The Warehouse.

The videos below will give you a glimpse of what goes on during contest.

Praise the Lard – 17th Street BBQ from Arthur Agency on Vimeo.

Sky Full of Bacon 21: Woodsmoke Nation from Michael Gebert on Vimeo.

Be sure to visit our Market vendors on Friday evening and all day Saturday. 

Our 17th Street crew has been working for several months to produce this event. We’re grateful to the generous sponsors who help make it all possible. Several businesses really stepped up their support this year and we are most appreciative. A special thanks to Voss Heating & Air, Silkworm, Arthur Agency, SoundCore, and Lyerla Lake Farms.

Arthur Agency is responsible for the outstanding logo and graphic design work and the t-shirts, posters, and other items were expertly printed by Silkworm, Schwebel, and the Printing Plant.

It takes a village to put together an event of this magnitude and we hope you’ll patronize and say a special thank you to the sponsors listed below. If you’d like information on how to become a sponsor or be involved in some way, please be in touch.