2022 EffingHAM-JAM Set for July 22-23

The 2022 EffingHAM-JAM is set for Friday and Saturday, July 22-23 in downtown Effingham.

The HAM-JAM will feature the Kansas City BBQ Society State BBQ Championship, sponsored by Coors Light in cooperation with Koerner Distributor, Inc.

The weekend activities get underway on Friday evening at 5:30pm with judging & tastings of the Hometown Throwdown Challenge, where teams of amateur BBQ enthusiasts will compete for category trophies and a $250 cash prize for the Grand Champion. That competition sets the stage for a weekend of BBQ, music, food & beverage, and fun for the entire family.

Local band, The Troubadours, and one of Nashville’s finest rock and roll bands, Loose Lips, featuring Effingham’s own Myles Baker, are back for 2022 and will be on stage all Friday evening.

Start your Saturday off by perusing the Effingham Farmers Market, indulging in a complimentary pancake breakfast sponsored by Continental Mills, while supporting local vendors offering a variety of food and non-food items. The Children’s Activity area sponsored by C.E.F.S. returns, where all ages can enjoy face painting, an obstacle course, bean bag toss, crafts, and more fun-filled games. Children will be able to explore an Effingham Fire Department fire truck and Effingham Police Department police car.

The KCBS Professional Competition will get underway at 12pm Saturday with teams competing in a variety of categories. Judging concludes at 2pm with the official KCBS awards ceremony wrapping up the day at 4pm.

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, which puts the HAM-JAM together, thanks its sponsors to date: Effingham Country Chamber Foundation, Koerner Distributor, Inc. (presenting), John Boos & Company (trophy), Imagine This! Marketing Group (marketing), City of Effingham, Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Premier Broadcasting, Effingham Asphalt Company, Effingham Park District, Heartland Towing & Recovery, Sanitation Service, Inc., and Teutopolis Banquet Hall. The Chamber is actively accepting Hometown Throwdown teams, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors. Please contact Nicole Morrison at the Effingham County Chamber at (217) 342-4147 if interested.

More information can be found online at EffingHAMJAM.com, EffinghamCountyChamber.com/Events, or the HAM-JAM Facebook page @EffingHamJam.

Net proceeds from the event will support the Chamber Foundation of Effingham County which is the philanthropic arm of the Chamber. The Chamber Foundation provides educational opportunities for youth and the local workforce to build and strengthen themselves in a personal and business capacity through the scholarship program. This program provides $1,000 continuing education scholarships to area high school seniors and adults who are starting/continuing their secondary education.