HAM-JAM Coming Up Later This Month

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses are joining forces for the Annual EffingHAM-JAM State Championship barbecue event. The 2018 event will again take place in downtown Effingham, on July 27 & 28.

The EffingHAM-JAM was created as a community event to showcase the assets of the community to a national audience through the Kansas City BBQ Society as well as give local residents an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of professional BBQ competition. This year’s event has been endorsed by the Illinois Bicentennial.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctions the pro competition and is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 15,000 members worldwide and sanctions over 400 barbeque contests coast-to-coast throughout America.

The event kicks off Friday night with the popular Hometown Throwdown local amateur competition featuring teams competing for your votes to win cash and prizes. This year an added “Corporate Challenge” introduces local businesses into the competition as they compete for the Bragging Rights Traveling Trophy awarded to winner of the “Ticket for Taste” challenge. Enjoy live music by Quick & Bradley, Kilborn Alley Blues Band and Evolver starting at 5pm as well as BBQ tastings, and food and drink vendors.

Saturday’s events start with the Farmers Market and a Pigs & Pancakes breakfast beginning at 8am. You can see BBQ pros compete for a $6,000 cash purse as well as kid’s activities, Dilly Bar eating contest, Schottman’s Sweet Corn, and live music by The Experienced and by CrossRoads Clash.

The “Ham-Jam” showcases the community to over 2,500 visitors and residents.

For more information and complete weekend details contact the Chamber office at 217-342-4147 or visit www.effinghamjam.com

The Chamber Foundation of Effingham County is a 501(c)3 non-profit, providing a tax deductible charitable contribution for the sponsors. The Foundation Scholarship Program has been in existence since 1996 and has awarded nearly $170,000 in scholarships to 130 area residents.