6th Annual Death’s Door BBQ Contest Cooks Up On Aug 26

Professional barbecue teams from around the country have entered the 6th Annual Death’s Door BBQ (DDBBQ) contest scheduled for Aug. 26. The event, held at the Washington Island Airport, is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. More than $8,000 in prize money and awards will be distributed among the DDBBQ winners.

For the first time, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has issued a Governor’s Proclamation for the event, making Death’s Door BBQ a Wisconsin State Championship. As a result, DDBBQ winners will receive an automatic entry in the American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Mo. and are eligible for a lottery drawing to potentially compete in the Jack Daniels BBQ contest in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

The star-studded field includes 42 teams from 10 states. States represented include Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Florida and Kansas.

The contest will be judged only by KCBS-certified judges, in four meat groups: chicken, pork ribs, pork (pork butt) and brisket. All judges will follow strict KCBS rules and regulations, and the judging will be supervised by KCBS Reps Bill and Debby Gage.

The 2017 DDBBQ raffle includes a Traeger Smoker donated by Lampert Lumber of Sister Bay. A half hog has been donated by Robert and Patricia Cornell. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn immediately before the awards ceremony. Tickets for the smoker and cut-up hog are available at Nicolet National Bank on Washington Island or all day long at the event. A 40-quart Grizzly Cooler has been donated by Grizzly. There will also be 50/50 drawings during the day of the event.

The 2017 DDBBQ is open 10 am – 5 pm, with free admission and parking. The live entertainment features The Blues Disciples from 12:30 – 4:30 pm. Musician Genevieve Hayward will play from 10 am–12 noon. Some participating teams will sell their barbecue, rubs and sauces. For more information, visit deathsdoorbbq.com or Deaths Door BBQ on Facebook.