Get your barbecue fix at annual Barn Burner

Some competitors will start arriving as early as Thursday to begin cooking even though judging will not begin until Saturday.

But that's what the food requires when you are working with barbecue.

Come watch and learn from top barbecue cooks from across the country as Lambs Farm hosts the third annual Barn Burner BBQ this weekend.

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, 22 teams from across the country will compete in four meat categories: chicken, pork, ribs and beef brisket. There also is a dessert category. The winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The grand champion, who must enter each meat category, will be invited to take part in the Great American Barbecue and the American Royal Invitational and entered into a drawing for a chance to compete at the Jack Daniels World Championship.

The public also is invited to show their cooking skills in the Comcast Chili Challenge Cook-off. Cooks can make a red or green chili, may use beans, pasta, rice or other fillers, and must make a minimum 3 gallons. Tasters will then pay $3 to sample the entries and help choose the People's Choice favorite chili.

"It's a nice way for the public is get involved," said Jackie Rachev, Lambs Farm's communications coordinator.

Adding music to the festivities will be rock band Broken Hip, which will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. All About the Music will provide DJ music Saturday. Also among offerings will be contests, demonstrations, raffles and vendors.

3rd annual Lambs Farm Barbecue Barn Burner

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

Where: Lambs Farm is on Route 176 east of the Tri-State Tollway in Libertyville.

Cost: Free; $3 to participate in chili tasting.