Just announced ...

Increased total purse for Up in Smoke on the Square

[July 16, 2012]  The purse for Up in Smoke on the Square is being increased again, from $12,000 to $15,000.

Last year's contest during the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival weekend paid out a total purse of $8,000. Due to the response from the community supporting this barbecue event, the organizers raised the initial purse for 2012 from $8,000 to $12,000. Now the purse has been increased again, to $15,000.

The payout levels have not yet been posted on the event website, www.lincolnbbq.com, but are expected to be there by Monday.

The organizers anticipate paying first through 10th place for each category, along with the reserve grand champion and grand champion. For the Friday night of the event, an "Anything Goes" category has been added that will pay $500.

Event organizer Chris Graue said: "Thanks for helping make last year's contest such a huge success. We couldn't have done it without you!"

This year's contest will be on Aug. 24 and 25 in downtown Lincoln.

[Text from file received from Chris Graue, event organizer for Up in Smoke on the Square]