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BBQ Roundup kicks off today near Vets Stadium

By Loren Keller

When barbeque vendors compete, the saying goes, everybody wins.

“That’s absolutely true,” confirms Doug Hochstedler, a spokesman for the 22nd annual Cedar Rapids BBQ Roundup. “This is the best barbeque you’ll find in the area. These guys do it for a living; they travel around going from festival to festival. They’re very proud of their barbeque and it’s very delicious.”

Eight vendors from around the country will battle for the best barbeque title; winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. awards ceremony Sunday.

The four-day event kicks off today in the parking lot between Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium and Kingston Stadium, with the Texas trio Los Lonely Boys headlining the festival’s three-day musical lineup at 8 p.m. tonight.

Daily admission is $3 with kids age 12 and under admitted free.

Sunday, billed as the festival’s family day, will feature magician Tim Stolba, Papa Balloon the Balloon Maker, performances by area cheer and dance teams, arts and crafts, and all-you-can-ride carnival passes for $12.

Flooding forced the event to relocate last year from its usual downtown Cedar Rapids location; organizers kept it there for this year to allow time for the reconstruction of the CRANDIC railroad bridge near its usual site.

“Everybody feels the BBQ Roundup is a downtown event and we will be looking to get back downtown again next year,” Hochstedler says.

At least 20,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

For a complete schedule of BBQ Roundup events click here.