Fifth annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally to return July 27

One of Yelm’s biggest attractions of the summer, the Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally, will return from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Yelm City Park.

The event will feature past attractions like the amateur barbecue competition, a pie-eating contest, food trucks and a beer garden, but will introduce new opportunities for everyone in the family to enjoy. People can sign up for the different activities at the Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally at bbqrally.com.

Dan Nicholson, president-elect for Yelm’s Chamber of Commerce, said the fifth annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally will incorporate aspects of the City’s centennial celebration into the event.

“This year is our centennial year for the City of Yelm, so we’re doing some extra special centennial activities. We’re going to do some giveaways, which is really cool,” Nicholson said. “We’re increasing our marketing a little bit. In past years, we estimate that we’ve had 8,000 to 10,000 people throughout the day. We’re hoping to at least meet that, if not exceed it.”

He said the youth talent show will kick off the event during the morning hours of July 27, adding that participants must be 19 years old or younger to participate.

“If you’re musically inclined, come out and we’ll get you on stage,” he said. “We’ll have trophies and whatnot.”

The second annual kids burger challenge, in which youth 17 years old or younger compete to make the best patty, will return. Registration for participation costs $25.

“Last year was a good start, and we’re hoping to get some good participation this year,” Nicholson said. “We’re looking for more kids to sign up for that.”

The “Amateur Andy” barbecue competition will also return to the event where participants showcase their skills on the grill using a variety of meats.

“Any backyard barbecue aficionado that wants to come out and show off their skills can,” Nicholson said. “We give out prizes and big trophies for that, and it’s a lot of fun. They come the night before to set up and start barbecuing for the competition.”

Throughout the day, attendants at the event can enjoy several live entertainment acts in addition to the talent show, and the Sammy Steele Band and Borderline Dance Group will perform throughout the barbecue rally.

“People of all ages can be involved in this event. It’s a really special event for our community, and so we want everyone to feel like they have a place in it,” he said. “We’re really getting into the kids' activities, and I think it’s great. This event really has something for everybody.”

Tina Richardson, executive director for Yelm’s Chamber of Commerce, said Nicholson and his wife, Shelley, have done an outstanding job in bringing their idea, the barbecue rally, to life and allowing it to blossom into one of the biggest events of the summer.

“This is more than just an event that they do,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of like their baby, in a sense, because there’s so much value in it. It’s not just an event they put on for the chamber or an just event that they do. It’s something that they literally pour themselves into because they want to see a community come together.”

She added that the barbecue rally presents an opportunity for families to get out to Yelm City Park for a fun day of activities and food, while some might even showcase their talents through cooking or music.

“You put food, you put fun and you put family [together and] people are going to show up and have a great time,” Richardson said. “This event definitely helps Yelm. Whether it’s people staying overnight, or people coming in and shopping or eating everywhere and anywhere — it’s going to be a massive boom to the community and the economy in general.”

Nicholson said the entire committee involved with the Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally has done a great job with taking on a role, whether as a volunteer coordinator or a professional food coordinator.

“This committee is fantastic. My wife and I, it was kind of our brain child, but it is massively a commitment from a lot of different people. There are so many different people involved, and it’s such a fun event. I love it,” Nicholson said. “It’s a lot of work. It can be stressful at times. It seems like people can also wait until the last second to sign up for the competitions, and so we really would like to see people sign up early. Just come and have fun, be a part of the community. Kids can cook burgers, adults can cook ribs.”

Though the Chamber of Commerce would prefer if all competitors sign up as soon as possible, Nicholson said people will be able to sign up for the events until mid-July.

The night prior to the barbecue rally at Yelm City Park, attendants can enjoy a “beer garden pre funk” event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 26. Attendants must be aged 21 years or older to enter. Food vendors will be on sight for participants to enjoy dinner.