Franklin County resurrects cookout contest

Denny Hanson's smoked turkey breast was the grand champion winner of the first event held in 20 years.

The first Farm Bureau cookout contest in Franklin County in approximately 20 years was deemed a success, with organizers already planning increased marketing and participation for next year.

Denny Hanson's smoked turkey breast won grand champion at the event, held July 14 at the Franklin County Fair. He and his wife, Judy, also prepared pork loin, chicken and flank steak for the contest.

Walt and Christy Mason also participated, offering a variety of dishes for tasting.

"They were really into showmanship and did a cool table spread for the judges including sides of hasselback potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus and smoked chocolate soufflé," said Anna Dunnwald, outreach coordinator for Franklin County Farm Bureau, who oversaw the cookout.

"For their entry, they prepared picanha. They also cooked and handed out tons of samples of meatballs, four flavors of smoked cream cheese and bacon-wrapped Oreos."

The Hansons also distributed samples to fairgoers. "The Hansons and Masons both have participated in other counties previously and enjoy doing it," Dunnwald said.

The cookout contest has early roots in Franklin County. Although it disappeared for a time, the local cattlemen's association, fair board and Farm Bureau decided it was time to bring back the fun.

"Our participants had a really good time with it," Dunnwald said. "They enjoyed visiting with each other and with the fairgoers. Now that we've done this once, I think we have some more ideas on how to improve and expand the cookout.

"We are also considering attending one in another county to see how they do it and possibly get some ideas."

Moving the contest from Sunday morning to Saturday is a possibility to attract more participants, Dunnwald added.

State Fair Cookout

With the grand champion designation, the Hansons are eligible to compete at the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines next month.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the state cookout contest, which features cash prizes for the winners ($1,000 for Grand Champion, $400 for first place in each meat category and $200 for second place).

Early numbers show more than 50 contestants across all categories, representing 33 counties, are expected at the cookout contest the morning of Aug. 13 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair. Nine youth contestants will participate this year.

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