First of all, I would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors for their hard labor and funding of the second annual Big Island Barbeque. A project this huge could not be done without their support and long hours of devotion. Being only two years old, this event has had tremendous growth. With that growth there are always new challenges.

We are addressing those challenges and will correct them. We have plans for advanced ticket sales, more ticketing locations and simpler ticketing options for the public, to name a few.

Iowa’s largest barbecue contest is Mason City and has been produced for five or more years. They had 61 teams this year, and we had 57 teams our second year.

We will continue to add new ideas and management techniques to enhance your barbecue experience each year. Please make plans to attend the third annual BIB the last weekend in August 2010.

Perry Vining, founder/coordinator Big Island Barbeque

Albert Lea