Contact:
Carolyn Burleigh, R/West, carolynb@r-west.com or 503-223-5443 x143

The 2007 Oregon State Fair hosts two new BBQ and Grill Competitions: Western BBQ Association’s “Northwest Best BBQ Battle” and the Oregon Fryer’s Commission’s “Big Cluck Grill Off”

SALEM, Ore. – The 2007 Oregon State Fair www.oregonstatefair.org kicks off the first weekend of the Fair with new BBQ and grill competitions. The Western BBQ Association’s final “King of Q” competition the “Northwest Best BBQ Battle” sponsored by Sensation Spas features professional cooking teams from 15 western states battling for two days and nights August 25 and 26, 2007. This two-day event is the final event for the Western BBQ Association’s summer long “King of Q” accumulative point competition. Over thirty cooking teams will battle over $20,000 in prize money awarded during the Oregon State Fair. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski proclaimed the event an official state championship allowing winners to compete for national titles.

Teams and their professional BBQ equipment will be located on the north end of the Picnic Grove near the Yellow Gate entrance. Just beyond the BBQ competition area, visitors will enjoy an all Oregon Food and Brew Pavilion, evening entertainment on stage with seating under the big oak trees.

About the Big Cluck Grill Off

The 2007 Oregon State Fair will host the “Oregon Fryer Commission’s Big Cluck Grill-off” on Saturday, Aug. 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Big Cluck Grill Off features winning cooking teams from 15 of Oregon’s regional county fair’s battling for statewide bragging rights and great prizes. The Big Cluck Grill Off will be located on the north end of Hart’s Floral Garden.

About the Oregon State Fair

Started in the late nineteenth century, the State Fair has become an Oregon family tradition. Families come from all over the state to take in great shows, rides, culinary delights, and animal and agricultural exhibits. Fair attendees will be able to see over 26,000 exhibits in livestock, home arts and hobbies, show horses, fine art, photography, professional wine, homebrew beer, small animals, including poultry, rabbits, doves, pigeons and guinea pigs, plus 4-H and FFA animals and events. This year, the Oregon State Fair begins on August 24 and runs through September 3, 2007.

For more information call 503-947-3247 or toll free in Oregon, 1-800-833-0011 or visit the Oregon State Fair website at www.oregonstatefair.org.

The Oregon State Fair is a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department