The 7th annual Grille It Up at Dexter’s East Park is taking place on Friday, July 8 and Saturday 9.
Friday evening will kick off the event with the Super Troopers mud volleyball match. The match will pit the Dexter Police Department against the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Dexter Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Rowe said the winner will not only get bragging rights but a trophy as well. The match will begin at 5 p.m. This match was supposed to take place at the 2021 event but was rained out along with the other Friday evening activities.
Rowe said in addition to the Super Troopers match, Friday evening will feature several other activities. The Cornhole and youth Mud Volleyball Tournaments will take place. Registration for the cornhole tournament can be done on-line at http://www.dexterpark-rec.com/ or at the Parks and Recreation Office at East Park. Live music featuring Seed Tick Ridge from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Hickory Smoke from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Craft vendors will be set up Friday evening and Rowe said the contestants for the Barbecue Cook Off will be setting up for Saturday’s contest. Rowe said all the barbecue teams will be sanctioned by the St. Louis Barbecue Society. She said $9,000 in prize money will be paid out in the event.
The adult mud volleyball tournament will take place on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Additionally craft vendors and food trucks will be on hand as will Semo Sound. Show Me Butts, Mini Farm Mafia, Rebel Cupcakes, Lemonade House Grill, Just Lemonade and more will be on hand for the event’s food court.
The annual car show will take place on Saturday as well. Rowe said registration for the car show can be done on-line at http://www.dexterpark-rec.com/ until Friday. She said cars can be registered Saturday morning upon arrival at the park as well.
The activities at the park are not the only things being offered at the Grille It Up Event. A shuttle can take visitors from East Park to the Dexter Municipal Airport and back to the park. At the airport a historic B-25 Bomber named “Show Me” will fly into the airport. According to the Commemorative Air force (owners of the plane) website the bomber was delivered to the USAAF as 44-31385 in January of 1945. It stayed in service as a trainer until retired in 1958. It was acquired by the Commemorative Air Force in 1982, renamed “Show Me” and given the civil registration of N345TH.
Rowe said she is still waiting for an estimated arrival time for the bomber. The bomber cannot only be viewed but rides can be taken aboard the bomber. Rowe said flights on the bomber will be taken once all seats are sold. Rowe said the number of rides will depend on how many times they can fill the plane.
Cape Copter will be at the airport as well offering helicopter rides.
Rowe extended her thanks to all of the sponsors of the event that make it possible.