For the fourth year, barbecue cookers from Oklahoma and beyond will gather at the Kopper Kettle for what has become a tradition in downtown Durant.
The 2017 Kopper Kettle Barbecue Cook-Off will be held in the south parking lot area on June 10.
Brenda Shipman, one of the owners of the Kopper Kettle, said the activity get started the night before and there are opportunities for people beyond just the cooking.
“The cookers will arrive on Friday, June 9 and start cooking,” Shipman said. “The judging will be on Saturday.
“We are looking for taste and judge. You can contact Durant Main Street and they have a list and will tell you what we have available.”
The categories for cooking this year are: Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs, Brisket and Jackpot Beans.
“This is a sanctioned barbecue cookoff, but you do not have to be a member of the society in order to cook in it. But you will still be eligible for all the prizes. And we have a guaranteed prize money of $5,000 this year.”
“We’re giving away a Yeti cooler and Yeti ramblers.”
The contest is sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society.
There were only 10 cookers to compete in 2016, but Shipman said that just made the odds of winning even better.
“We had a local cooker to win a couple of categories. It was a little bit of a letdown for the sanctioned guys. They’re there for the points, but they like the money, too.”
Entry fees are $100 and it’s an optional $10 for the beans, if a competitor wants to get in on the prize money.
“That’s why it’s called a jackpot – you get all the money.”
There will also be a snow cone truck on site provided by Snow Birds. And the VFW will again be providing sandwiches, chips and drinks, with proceeds going to the VFW general fund.
Proceeds from the Cook-Off will go toward the Durant Main Street holiday lighting and decorations.
“This year, we’re going to have some cool things (at Christmas)” Shipman said. “If you’ve seen the train and the sleigh, we’re going to have an addition to that this year.”
Cookers from Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas are expected to attend and can enter the contest even up to the morning of the event.
For more information, contact the Kopper Kettle at (580) 745-9306.