Little Pig Cookoff set for Saturday in Beckemeyer

A taste tester tries a sample during last year's Little Pig Cookoff in Beckemeyer.    The 15th annual Jim Knapp Memorial Little Pig Cookoff is set for Saturday, July 11, at BCDC Park in Beckemeyer.
    This year's event will be a pork steak competition only. 
    Organizers have brought back the Best of Site Award this year. There hasn't been a Best of Site Award in five years. The competitors cooking also have the chance to pick up a trophy and cash  for the best costumes and design of their cooking area. 
    "We are very excited for this year's event," organizer Cory Mensing said. "It's our 15th year for the Little Pig Cookoff and it's a party in Beckemeyer  people talk about for years and the memories that were made for 15 years now."
    The event begins at 1 p.m. with the opening ceremony and flag raising by the Beckemeyer American Legion drill team.
    Music begins at 2 p.m. with Nashville recording artist Marcus Kruep. Avery Horn will play at 3 p.m., Mr. Turk takes the stage at 3:30 p.m., and Royal Pop will play at 4:30 p.m. 
    Cookoff awards will be at 6:15 p.m. Murphy 500 and Cheers Band will play from 7 p.m.-midnight. Fireworks will be around 9:15 p.m. 
    Arm band sales start at 3:30 p.m. and public tasting begins at 4 p.m. Public tasting has started at 5 p.m. in years past, but was moved to 4 p.m. this year to give the public tasters more time to sample.