Youth Club firing up for 13th annual Ribfest

Just like a rack of tender, smoky ribs, preparing Blooming Prairie Youth Club’s signature fundraiser takes hard work and a lot of patience

After months of planning, BPYC is nearly ready to give the public a taste of what they’ve got cooking for this year’s Ribfest. The 13th annual fundraiser is set for July 27, offering a whole evening of food and entertainment to support local kids.

Twelve barbecue teams hailing from Blooming Prairie, Owatonna, St. Peter and New Prague — eight returning and four newcomers — will face off for cash prizes. In addition to a pulled pork dinner, attendees will receive several tickets to sample ribs from the teams’ smokers.

BPYC has been contacting businesses since January, amassing a long list of sponsors.

The meat for the event is all donated, allowing BPYC to keep 100% of the proceeds. Board President Amanda Johnson, who’s been part of Ribfest for three years, said it takes around $100,000 annually to keep the organization operating. Ribfest plays a major role in that funding. The event raised around $43,000 in 2023, and BPYC hopes to match that this year.

Johnson said BPYC addresses the “great need” for childcare in Steele County and the surrounding region. She said they aim to keep their services affordable, charging less than $100 a week for their summer program. They provide breakfast, lunch, snacks and field trips, as well as visits to the pool, library and park. This summer’s program has maxed out with 60 kids enrolled.

“Our summer program is full. We ended up with a waitlist, so we know we have more work to do to make accommodations for kids in our community,” said Johnson.

While most of these kids are local, the program draws some families from as far as Rochester.

In the past, funds from Ribfest have allowed BPYC to replace a leaking roof and get new flooring. They’re currently eying updates to make the facility as safe and secure as possible, including a fencing project.

Targeting the exact amount of meat to procure has been a challenge for Ribfest organizers. Last year, the teams cooked up 35 cases of meat — about 4,000 ribs — leading to an overabundance. The year before, they quickly ran out after procuring 15 cases. Seeking a sweet spot, they’re planning on 20 cases this year.

While the rib competition is the centerpiece of the event, teams will also receive a mystery ingredient to prepare. In the past, the category has featured liver, beef cheek and tongue. Cooks will have to wait until the morning of the event to find out what this year’s ingredients are.

“We’re going to do a really fun spin on it this year,” said Johnson. “I think they’ll roll their eyes when they figure out what their mystery meat is going to be.”

Teams will receive awards for the top three ribs, as well as best sauce, people’s choice ribs and best mystery meat. The judging panel will include local VIPs and judges sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the largest barbecue organization in the world.

Prior to the main event, kids 12 and under will participate in a hamburger cook-off. The evening will also include a live and silent auction, and activities for kids including face painting and bounce houses. New this year, the Kona Ice truck will be selling treats and a DJ will provide music.

While previous years have included a bean bag toss tournament and 5K, Johnson said that proved too much for a one-day event and organizers wanted to keep the focus on the rib competition.

BPYC is still accepting donations for live and silent auction items and baskets.