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EffingHAM-JAM and Hometown Throwdown
10 years of great food, healthy competition, and community togetherness!
EffingHAM-JAM, produced by the Effingham County Chamber, is an annual BBQ competition in downtown Effingham, IL and is a evening full of events, live music, food, and fun. Visitors will be able to move around the event area with alcoholic beverages purchased at the Koerner Distributor, Inc. tent.
Proceeds from EffingHAM-JAM will go towards the Effingham County Chamber Community Scholarship Program!
Hometown Throwdown 5:00PM until all tastings are sold out
(Jefferson Ave between 3rd & 4th St.)
The EffingHAM-JAM Hometown Throwdown invites amateur pit masters from all over the area to show off their skills and compete for prizes in several different BBQ categories. Blind judging by local community reps, Hometown Throwdown sponsors, and KCBS professional judges.
Food Trucks, Vendors, & Beer Tent 5:00 – 10:30PM
(4th St. &Jefferson Avenue)
Food and beverages will be provided by several local and state-wide vendors.
Visitors will be able to move around the event area with the beverages purchased at the Koerner Distributor, Inc. Beer Tent.
Savory Vendors
All American Grill
Blaze & Glaze Pizza Co.
Crazy 8's BBQ
Gate to Plate
Mac Daddy
Sweet Vendors
The Fair Lady
Get The Dough Boy
Homewood Grill
Krazy Sweet Treats
Toppins
Beverages and More Vendors
Glik’s
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital | FREE Bottled Water Tent
The Lemonade Stand
Elks Lodge #1016
Renewal by Anderson
Kids Area 5:00 – 7:00PM
(Washington Ave between 4th & 5th St.)
Get ready for the ultimate foam-filled fun! A giant foam cannon will blast piles of cool, fluffy, non-toxic foam, creating the perfect play zone for kids (and fun-loving adults)! Dance, jump, and splash your way through this high-energy adventure—because who doesn’t love a foam party?! Remember to bring towels (and maybe a change of clothes)!
But that’s just the beginning! The FREE Kids Area at EffingHAM-JAM also features face painting, colorful chalk art, bubbles galore, and a chance to Touch-A-Truck. Don’t miss the tractor train rides looping around Washington Avenue, and if you’re feeling extra festive, stop by the face-painting station to add some flair to your fun.
It’s a jam-packed evening of smiles, squeals, and summer memories in the making!
Touch-A-Truck:
3 Sisters Logistics truck
Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter (pending no emergencies)
Eco-Trim217 crane
Effingham Fire Department truck
Millroad Thresherman pink tractor
Rumpke Waste truck
Whitney Roofing truck
Wonkey Donkey safari Jeep
HAM CITY JAM Demo 5:00 – 8:00PM
(Washington Ave between 3rd & 4th St)
Skaters from across the Midwest will be showing off their moves during a LIVE demo of Ham City Jam on Friday night—giving the crowd a taste of what’s to come! Watch as they warm up, practice tricks, and hype up the weekend with high-energy action right in the heart of downtown.
Then on Saturday, July 19, it all goes down at the Effingham Skate Park (Hendelmeyer Park) for the Ham City Jam—a local skate competition featuring some of the most talented riders around. Organized by Effingham’s own Deano Tull, this event promises a full day of epic skating, community vibes, and serious skill.
The Troubadours 5:00 – 6:30PM
(4th Street City Parking Lot)
From Cowden, Illinois, The Troubadours are a self-described Cowboy Space Western Folk Rock band. The Duo features Josh Loy on the guitar and lead vocals, with Kevin Deadmond playing the piano.
Thomas Mac 7:00PM – 10:30PM
(4th Street City Parking Lot)
Catch rising country star Thomas Mac live at EffingHAM-JAM!
With over 3 million TikTok followers and millions of views, Thomas is blending modern and traditional country in a way that’s turning heads. After a viral hit launched him to Nashville, he landed his first record deal at just 20 and made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage that same year. Don’t miss your chance to hear the next big name in country—right here in Downtown Effingham
