The inaugural Big Island Bar-B-Que gets going after work Friday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, and people who attend ought to bring their taste buds.

And some water.

That’s because on Friday night is the chili contest. There are 53 teams participating in the Big Island Bar-B-Que, and of them 27 teams are in the chili competition. Anyone can go look around and smell the food for no charge.

For $2, however, people can purchase a spoon and a ballot. They will get to taste all the chili they want from the teams, then mark their ballots. The proceeds go to the Education Days at the Big Island Rendezvous, which is a pioneer reenactment that takes place at Bancroft Bay Park in October.

Perry Vining, founder of the Big Island Rendezvous and the Big Island Bar-B-Que, said the winning chili competitor gets $200 and a smoker from Home Depot.

On Saturday, the participating teams will compete for barbecue titles in chicken, pork, ribs, brisket and overall champion. For these, official judges do the tasting. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts.

Friday: 5 to 11 p.m.

Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; awards ceremony at 4 p.m.

There is no charge to attend Saturday either, and there will be four food vendors on hand selling barbecue food and beverages. Also Saturday, for $3, people can try the rib sampler, which has ribs from Albert Lea Select Foods and a side from Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen.

Vining said one aspect about these competitions is you can’t always tell the best by the size of their equipment. Some teams will use a simple Weber grill, and some will use a motor home/grill/smoker. And the smell will waft from the grills throughout the fairgrounds.

There has been greater interest in barbecue lately in popular culture, and Vining credits that to shows on the Food Network shining the spotlight on events such as the American Royal in Kansas City. The American Royal is a series of shows that runs from September to November in the Stockyard District and features rodeos, horse displays, balls, shopping sprees with high-end designers, parades, musical concerts and, of course, barbecue competitions. Most of the proceeds go to charities.

The winner of the Big Island Bar-B-Que gets $2,000 and a Hawken black-powder rifle. Vining said it was likely the only barbecue competition giving away a black-powder rifle. He said it is part of the event’s link to the Big Island Rendezvous. The winner also gets to compete at the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s “World Series of Barbecue” in Kansas City Oct. 2-5 during the American Royal.

Of the 53 teams, 43 are competing in all four meat categories. There are competitions for sauce, dessert and showmanship. Vining said 34 teams are submitting sauces and 31 teams are in the desserts competition. Vining said the Big Island Bar-B-Que is giving away $12,600 in cash and prizes.

People can purchase grilling equipment, sauces and many items connected with barbecue. People also can seek advice from the cooks about equipment, recipes and the world of barbecue competitions.

On Saturday, the judging starts at 11:30 a.m. Many cooks will have started at midnight or 1 a.m. About every half hour a separate category is judged. The awards ceremony is at 4 p.m. The cooks are coming from Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Music will fill the air, too. On Friday, look for Cajun Hot Soles, Whistling Pigs, and L.D. Cruiser & the Tones. On Saturday, listen to Plan B, Moses Oakland Quintet, Whistling Pigs and John Goodsall, one of the most noted guitarists alive.