Portageville Community Day is Saturday, June 13

Two big events will be taking place on Saturday, June 13. Combined together to make this the first of annual event called Portageville Community Day. Both will be held at the Meatte Memorial Park and are being sponsored by the Portageville Jaycees.

The events include a 5K for Access Day and the Backyard BBQ Cook-off Competition.

The 5K will begin at 8:30 AM. The race/walk will start and end at Meatte Memorial Park, in the parking lot by the little league field.

Registration will be open at 7:30 AM on the race day. You can pre-register for $20, or pay $25 day of event. All paid entries will receive a free T-shirt. The age groups for the 5K race/walk are 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 -- up.

For those that do not know about Access Day, the primary purpose of Access Day is to give individuals with physical and mental disabilities from across the state the opportunity to enjoy a special day at the Missouri State Fair, and is hosted by the Missouri Jaycees.

Hosting Access Day allows the local Jaycees to giver back to the community in large by helping out the less fortunate. Many of them will be guests and Access Day may be their one and only chance to get out of their group homes or institutional settings throughout the year and to attend a function that they otherwise wold not be allowed to experience.

There will be a Fun Run for the children, ages 5-9 and 10-14. They will race at the same time as the adults do, with a $5.00 entry fee. The winners will receive a medal.

All proceeds will go to Access day at the Missouri State Fair.

For more information or to pre-register, please contact Barry Dennison at 573-576-5313.

The second event is the Backyard BBQ Cook-off Competition. This is a Grilling Competition ONLY. No smokers allowed. All cookers are welcome to use pellets, charcoal, wood and gas. However, according to Les Vannasdall, " This competition is open to ANY cooker, grill, smoker, whatever you cook with in your back yard bring it."

The judging will be done in four categories. Pork Steak, Chicken halves, Ribs, and Pork Tenderloin. There is a $25.00 fee per category. You may enter in one or all four categories. Awards for First Place in each category.

Each team will supply their own meats and set up begins at 6:00 AM for the event. The meats will be inspected at 8:00 AM and cook time starts at 9:00 AM. You may have your grill hot and ready to cook as early as you like, and you must have meat cooked and on the judging table no later than 3:00 PM.

Each team will be provided a 15x15 area, if additional space is needed, there will be an additional $15.00 fee per area.

There will be a 50 percent pay back and awards to the top three overall winners of all four competitions.

There will be fun for all ages: Car and Bike Show, 5K & Fun Run for Kids, Lazy L Safari Petting Zoo, Bouncy Houses, Putt Putt golf, Washer and Cornhold Tournament, BBQ Cookoff, Dunking Booth and Smash the Clunker.

There will be live music all day featuring Ben Pyles, Scott Shipley, Powder Mill's Jesse Charles Hammock, and Frankenstein featuring Portageville's Nathan Day.

For more information or to pre-register, please contact Vannasdall at 573-391-4073.

Please bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day.