Railfest 2015 is coming to downtown Texarkana Saturday, May 16, at Front Street Plaza and if you want to be a vendor, the deadline to get your application in is tomorrow, April 29.

The annual BBQ and chicken cook off will take place as well with $1,000 in prize money available to the winner. The BBQ contest will be judged by the international Barbeque Cookers Association.

Here is a little info on the contest:

Big Jake’s will provide meat for the first 20 registered contestants.

Team setup and check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., on Saturday, May 16, on Front Street between Olive and Wood streets. (Setup is also allowed the night before.)

The cooks’ meeting is at 8 a.m. Meat is handed out and inspected at that point.

Chicken will be turned in at 2 p.m., ribs turned in at 3 p.m.

Winners will be announced at approximately 4 p.m.

The contest is limited to chicken and pork spare ribs and only wood or charcoal cooking are permitted. No gas or propane is allowed.

International Barbeque Cookers Association’s purpose is to develop and bolster equitable competitive Barbeque cooking internationally.

As the sport of competition BBQ cooking grows IBCA has grown with it. From the beginning until now we have built a great reputation of assisting BBQ promoters, providing information and offering a fair judging system to all participants.

While vendor applications are due tomorrow, concessions will be selected and contacted in the following days. If selected, vendor fees must be paid in full by May 8, 2015. Applications and fees accepted after deadline will be assessed a 50 percent late fee.

Applications and fees may be turned in to the Public Works Department of City Hall, 216 Walnut Street between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Here is the BBQ entry form.

And the Vendor form for Railfest.

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