LATHROP — The Lathrop BBQ Competition and Festival will be held on Saturday, July 16, at Valverde Park, 15557, Fifth St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The heat will be generated from the anticipated 20 or so BBQ competitors vying for the trophy and bragging rights in the third annual BBQ Competition and Festival sponsored by the Lathrop Senior Advisory Commission. For several teams, this will be the third attempt to unseat the reigning two-time BBQ rib champion, Dixie Chaney.

In addition to the main bill of fare, which is the barbecue competition, this year’s event coordinators have added a karaoke competition and four eating contests. The eating contests (watermelon, pie, hot dog, and pizza) will be based on eating speed as opposed to eating volume. Each eating contest will have two age categories: youth (current 5th and 6th graders) and adult (current 7th graders and up). The entry fees for these events are as follows: Youth, $1 per event, and Adult, $3 per event; except for the pizza contest which is $5. The eating contests should be very entertaining, messy, and plain fun to watch.

To be a barbecue contender, one has to fill out the necessary form and pay the entrance fees. The two BBQ grilling categories are: Saint Louis-style pork ribs and chicken (breasts and thighs only). The entry fees are $25 per meat category or $30 for both ribs and chicken. Grillers will be responsible for bringing their own unseasoned meat which will be inspected at a mandatory chefs’ meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Grilling rules and entrance forms are available at the Lathrop Senior Center, 941-7380. Participants are to supply their own portable grill and charcoal or wood; gas-powered barbecue grills are not allowed. It’s estimated that there will be seven to eight judges in each category. All other events (eating contests and karaoke) will be judged separately. The winners will be announced and presented with their trophies at the awards ceremony to take place at approximately 3:30 p.m. The BBQ winner’s names will be placed on a perpetual plaque at the Senior Center.

The theme this year is “A Day of Champions.” Other events and entertainment include:

•Karaoke competition: featuring 8 to 10 competitors who will try to walk home with the $100 first prize or the $50 second prize.

•Raffle: provided by the Senior Advisory Commission which will include various prizes.

•Live entertainment including praise vocal teams from the Living Word Ministries and the Lathrop Christian Center.

•Much more, including a variety of other performers and displays.

Interested performers are encouraged to contact the Senior Center at 941-7380 as soon as possible in order to secure their spot.

There will be food available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Lathrop Senior Center (chicken, sausage and hot dog lunches). Famous Dave’s Catering will assist the event as a sponsor and by providing their secret rib recipe for the ribs.

The barbecue is sponsored by City of Lathrop, Famous Dave’s, J.R. Simplot, Allied Waste, Walgreens, Holiday Inn Express, Fagundes Meats & Catering, Living Word Ministries, Lathrop Christian Center, Delta Power Sports, Target, Lathrop Sunrise Rotary, Lathrop Lions Club, SEIU Union, Milan’s Pizza, and the Lathrop Senior Club, among others.

Event organizers have a few surprises in store which will be announced just prior to the event. This day-long family oriented event extravaganza is poised to be even bigger and better this year.

Businesses and/or agencies that are interested in participating as a sponsor, vendor, festival guest, or just wanting more information, please contact Chris Lawrence at the Lathrop Senior Center, 941-7382 or 941-7380.