The fifth annual Big Island State Championship BBQ Contest on Friday and Saturday will offer more than $12,000 in prizes. The Freeborn County Fairgrounds will be filled with 50 barbecue teams and chili cooks from nine states. The Kansas City Barbecue Society state championship will welcome cooks, musicians, food lovers and families from throughout the region.

The contest will have money paid out to 10 places for the four meats, plus Anything Butt, sauce, chili and dessert. The middle team is also awarded $500. Overall winner gets $2,500, $1,000 and $500. The best in the brisket category qualifies for the world championship in Great Bend, Ind., in 2013.

New this year will be a chicken wing challenge sponsored by Minnesota Wing King.

More than 30 gallons of chili will be available for public tasting at 6 p.m. Friday night only. Local chili cooks are wanted. There is no entry fee and there is more than $700 in prize money. Call 800-658-2526 to enter.

Money and trophies created by Adams Originals will be awarded at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Bands will be performing both days.

The hours of the contest are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Barbecue food, funnel cakes, chicken wings, Hawaiian shaved ice and ice cream will be sold by vendors during all the open hours of the state championship. It is free to the public. To register your team call 402-6371 or email pvining@smig.net or go on-line at http://bigislandfestivalandbbq.org/barbque/register.php.