Central Plains Ribfest – Holdrege, NE June 15 & 16

Heading East from Rocky Mountain National Park en route to Holdrege, NE one notices the change in terrain from mountains, to rolling hills, then to the lush green farmland of Nebraska. This town with a population of 5,500 folks hosted the Central Plains Ribfest in conjunction with Swedish Days which brought competitors from six states.

2018 Central Plains Ribfest, Holdrege, NE.
Local High School Student rides his Unicycle in the Centra Plains Ribfest parade.

A busy weekend with a Steak Association Cookoff  (SCA) steak cook-off, a parade, classic car show, People’s Choice BBQ contest, and a sauce competition. Holdrege is small town America with a big heart and why we love traveling for BBQ competitions.

2018 Central Plains Ribfest, Holdrege, NE.
Parade in Holdrege, NE before the Central Plains Ribfest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smokin K – NE took home Grand Champion honors with a 695.4 score and Butcher BBQ earning the Reserve Grand Champion with a 694.8.  Dirt Road BBQ was third overall. Both Butcher BBQ and Dirt Road BBQ are in the top ten ranking for KCBS Team of the Year! The Holdrege Chamber of Commerce did a terrific job hosting the Ribfest. We enjoyed meeting the cooks, judges, and folks on the street, they were all so welcoming!