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Legion prepares for annual cook-off, poker run fundraiser
SIKESTON — The Sikeston American Legion and Auxiliary are preparing for their 10th annual poker run and cook-off competition.
Vickie Wilson, event planner, explained why they have such a unique event to gather funding for the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
“The veterans fought for our freedom,” Wilson said. “It’s the final resting place for them, and it’s a nice place for the families to go visit their loved ones that have passed away.”
The annual poker run and cook-off will take place on April 28-29 at the American Legion Post 114 in Sikeston. It will start off with a corn hole competition at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28 with registration costing $40 per team.
“One of the big things is that we want to make sure that people know that this event is open to the public,” Wilson said. “A lot of people think that this is a private event, but it’s not; it’s open to the public, and anybody can come.”
Wilson mentioned why it is critical to support the event by stating all revenues from the event would be donated to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.
“What we want to stress to people is that the cemetery is not fully state or federally funded,” Wilson said. “You know they have a budget just like anybody else, and if something tears up that is not in their budget, then they have to wait until the following year to put it in their budget to get the repairs done.”
Wilson noted how the Legion has previously aided the cemetery.
“We’ve bought lawnmowers for them before because theirs tore up and it was not in their budget,” Wilson said. “You know, when you’re in the middle of the summer and your lawnmower tears up, to me, that would be an emergency, but the state doesn’t always see it the same way.”
The Ultimate Flooring wing war competition, with a 75% payback, will also begin setting up on Friday night, and all of the wings will be provided for the wing war. The band, Blind Velvet, will also perform outdoors from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday night and will return on from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
The event continues on Saturday, April 29, with registration for the poker run beginning at 8 a.m., and the kickoff beginning at 10 a.m. The cost of admission is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger. There will also be a payout for the best and worst hands, as well as the bike that goes the farthest.
Teams will participate in the cook-off competition, which will be judged later that day, while the poker run is taking place. The entry price is $200 per team, with an April 23 deadline. All meats (pork butts, ribs, half a chicken and pork chop) and Royal Oak charcoal will be supplied for the competition. The cook-off winner will earn a $2,000 payout.
Wilson also said teams may compete in the mystery meat basket competition, which there is no entry fee, and each team will have the choice of participating in the mystery meat cooking. The meat must be grilled in some manner, and the prize is $200.
Wilson said by participating in the American Legion event, people are additionally supporting the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, and she wants everyone to be reminded how beautiful the cemetery is.
“It’s just a really nice place, and if you have not seen that cemetery, you really need to go see it,” Wilson said. “It’s just beautiful; it’s amazing, and that’s the way it should be for these people that fought for our freedom.”
There will also be a live action by Most Wanted Auction beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Pork steak plates will be served starting at 11 a.m.Saturday for dine-in or carryout, and the cost is $10 per plate.
For more information about the events call 573-703-6646.