ELLSWORTH - Several new events, including a Great Smoke-Out competition, highlight Ellsworth’s Family Fun Days celebration this Friday through Sunday.
Thirteen, two-person teams have registered for the Great Smoke-Out contest, which has participants smoking five racks of pork ribs each and a combined 100 pounds of pork loin, according to event organizer Randy Buntjer.
While most of the teams are local - from Ellsworth to Magnolia - Buntjer said one competitor is coming from Spencer, Iowa, and another is a professional smoker from Little Rock, Iowa.
The teams will begin smoking their meats at 9 a.m. Saturday, with serving to the public from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Saturday under the tent adjacent to Billy’s Bar & Grill. Judging will be done at 4:30 p.m., with a trio of local judges - Brian Chapa, owner of the Ellsworth Locker, Tasha Domeyer, Ellsworth’s mayor, and Mark Iveland, branch manager of the Exchange State Bank in Ellsworth - selecting the winners.
Judges will rank the entries based on tenderness, taste and appearance.
“We’re hoping it becomes an annual event,” said Buntjer, adding that the Great Smoke-Out is sponsored by the Exchange State Bank of Ellsworth.
“It’s not a sanctioned thing - it’s just a backyard barbecue competition,” Buntjer said, adding that everyone is invited to Ellsworth to enjoy some ribs and pork loin and stay for the Family Fun Days parade at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the Great Smoke-Out, other new events this year include a Craft Fair, with 18 vendors anticipated, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Ellsworth City Park, near West Butler Avenue and North Walnut Street; and a kickball tournament for all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the softball diamond.
Buntjer said more six- to eight-person teams are sought for the tournament. Teams must consist of half girls-half guys, or all girls. To register a team, contact Buntjer at 360-2650 by noon Thursday.
McDermott Carnival will be in town all three days, with advanced ticket sales continuing until 4 p.m. Friday at the Exchange State Bank of Ellsworth, the Ellsworth Food Center or the Ellsworth Locker.
A complete schedule of events for Family Fun Days follows:
Friday
6 p.m.: Little Miss Ellsworth selection, Main Street
6:30 p.m.: Kids Pedal Pull, for children ages 4-11, Main Street
7:30 p.m.: Family Fun Run/Walk, begins behind Exchange State Bank
9:30 p.m.: One Man Band, Billy’s Bar & Grill
Saturday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Craft Fair, Ellsworth City Park
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Kick Ball Tournament, Softball Diamond
3 p.m.: Bean Bag Tournament, Billy’s Bar & Grill
4 p.m.: Legion Bingo, under the tent near Billy’s Bar & Grill
5-6:30 p.m.: Great Smoke-Out, under the tent near Billy’s Bar & Grill
6:30 p.m.: Parade
8 p.m.: Cow Pie Bingo, Main Street
9 p.m.: Pirate Taxi Band, Billy’s Bar & Grill
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Sunday
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast, Ellsworth Fire Hall
10:30 a.m.: Community Worship Service, Ellsworth School Gym
Noon: Big ticket drawing, Ellsworth Fire Hall
Daily Globe Reporter Julie Buntjer may be reached at 376-7330.
