SIKESTON -- Looking to involve the community in a project to benefit the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, the Sikeston American Legion Post 116 will have its first-ever poker run and cook-off competition.
Set for Sept. 7 at Post 114's hall, located at 333 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the event which will also include other festivities, such as auctions, a meal and musical entertainment was the idea of Vickie Wilson, who serves as the district president of the American Legion Auxiliary.
"We always pick a project to do, and I picked the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery," Wilson said. "The bell system and sound system for the cemetery is down so I thought we could raise funds to help with that."
When trying to come up with fundraising ideas, the poker run, cook-off and other festivities just fell into place, Wilson said.
Hosted by Post 114's American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of American Legion and Legion Riders, the day kicks off at 9 a.m. when the silent auction begins and chances for the 50-50 raffle drawing are sold.
Registration for the poker run is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. when bikes head out.
In the meantime, the cook-off will be taking place, and teams will be judged on ribs, pork steak and half chickens -- which will be provided by the American Legion. The deadline to enter the cook-off team competition is Sept. 6.
For more information about the event, contact Wilson at 573-703-6646; for the poker run, John Woodard at 573-620-3556; or for the cook-off, Jimmy Cantrell at 573-703-5570.
For the complete story, see an upcoming edition of the Standard Democrat.