The First Annual Blanco Youth Football League BBQ Cook-Off, held June 20-22, was a weekend full of fun, good food and great music. The fundraiser was put on to help offset the cost of equipment and other expenses for our young athletes. Without the hard work of the BYFL board planning and putting on events like this, the cost for participation in our football and cheer programs would increase each year. Our goal is to make it affordable for every kid to participate.
Hosted at Yett Park, the weekend started with cook teams starting to set up on Thursday, and the first of the competitions, the Margarita and Cook’s Choice. Our judges came prepared to taste some delicious fare, but they were not prepared for the hard task of actually picking out the best team!
For the kids, a movie was shown under the pavilion, with popcorn and snow cones freshly made to order. A bouncy castle kept them entertain until the film started rolling. We also held our first Kid’s Hamburger Competition, and you can ask any of the judges – it was a super close call!
As darkness settled over the park, and cook teams fired up their grills for the competition on Saturday, camps filled and families and friends gathered to enjoy the wonderful breeze that kept extreme temperatures away. One camp, run by the Harvest House team, came ready to entertain, and from what I hear, there were some pretty talented singers who showed up at their camp to karaoke under the stars.
Saturday morning, the rest of the competition began. The judges lined up for the first turn-in, and began their day with the Dutch Oven competition. It was pretty amazing to watch twelve people cutting up and chatting away, turn serious as soon as the first tray was opened, and transform into ‘professional tasters’. Tray after tray was served up, beans, chicken, sauce, ribs, and brisket, and each time the judges were handed their score sheets, they got down to business. There were some outstanding plates served up, and I do believe that each judge said they’d be back next year.
The teams that joined us this year were Butcher’s Pride: Thomas Merritt (Head), Jarrod Jones, Savannah Jones, and Virginia Palos, Drunkin’ Unkels: Frank Hodge(Head), Jeff Murk, Fred Murk, and Keith Lamza, Rolling Smoke: Daniel Ridner, Tanya Cardona, Mando Cardona (Head), Evann Ridner, Laura Mancha, 3 Jokers and a Smoker: Roland Mancha (Head), Stella Mancha, Tom Garcia, and Jennifer Mancha, Booze Hounds: Tommy Burten, Brent Mathis, Booze Hounds #2: JR, Brian Marm, and Harvest House: Jimmy Parks, Paul Meurer, Amanda Meurer, and Stephanie Meurer.
At noon, the Washer Tournament began, with ten teams showing up to compete, some traveling from as far away as Kyle! Once the brackets were figured out, play began, and continued until past 4pm, with one of the teams from Kyle taking first prize – congrats Ray and Ronnie!
Rounding out the weekend and the night, was Southern Mix, an awesome local country band that should really be playing on a much bigger stage, but graciously put on a show for the BYFL. If you haven’t seen them, follow them on Facebook and check out where they are playing. You won’t be disappointed.
We are grateful to the businesses who sponsored the Cook-Off; Lowe’s, Rivalry Screen Printing, Petersen's Tire, Aqua Power Cutting, L5 Ranch, and Dirt Works.
As the season gets closer, we will offer opportunities for parents to volunteer to help make BYFL even better; whether it's working in the concession stand to help raise money for the league, or being the Team Mom, we need you! Visit our website atwww.blancoyouthfootball.com and like our Facebook page!
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