Skip to main content

The heat – and the grills – were on for Ribfest

Ribfest, 2024, owatonna, steele county

The steamy weather may have affected attendance at the various festivals and events last weekend, but it didn’t stop the fun – or the generosity.

“We had a great time amid the heat,” said Amanda Johnson, president of the Blooming Prairie Youth Club board.

Saturday’s 13th annual Ribfest, the group’s main fundraiser for the year, featured 13 teams vying for a variety of honors, while raising money for the BPYC.

The event raised $40,000, “down a little bit from last year, but still incredibly amazing,” Johnson said.

In addition to rib-tasting, ticketholders enjoyed a pulled pork dinner, music, silent and live auctions.

A fencing fundraiser continues, with the hope of covering 600 feet of fencing for the facility’s playground. Donors can buy a foot of fence for $25. More information is available on the Blooming Prairie Youth Club Facebook page.

Barbecue winners:

Kids’ Hamburger Cook-off: Leah

People’s Choice: All Sauced Up, Blooming Prairie

1st Place Ribs: Nobody, Owatonna

2nd Place Ribs: Pig Wrangler, Blooming Prairie

3rd Place Rib: Newport BBQ, New Prague

Best Sauce: Newport BBQ, New Prague

Mystery Meat (SPAM): Stang Good BBQ, Blooming Prairie