Brady, TX – Labor Day weekend in the True Heart of Texas means it's time for the 42nd Anniversary of the World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off scheduled for Friday, September 4thand Saturday, September 5th in Richards Park along the banks of Brady Creek. Brady National Bank and Premier Silica are proud to bring you the 2015 event with a weekend full of food, fun and festivities for the entire family to enjoy.
The Goat Cook-Off is a unique tradition that started in Brady, the county seat of McCulloch County, in 1974 as a fundraiser for the Jaycees with 16 cooking teams. The Chamber of Commerce now coordinates the event. As the event has grown to feature more than 200 teams, many things have changed but the world-renowned barbequed goat and the celebration of our agricultural heritage has remained constant.
Brady sits at the geographic center of the state on the edge of northwest hill country and serves as the gateway to west Texas. There are approximately 15,000 goats in McCulloch County, which ranks among the top counties in the nation for the number of goats produced. Quite obviously, the goat industry is vital to the local economy, and the goat market has an important economic impact on McCulloch County.
For years, teams have gathered in Brady to pit their barbequing skills against one another in this open cook-off. This year, we have a full roster of 206 teams coming from all over Texas and beyond to participate and have their meats tasted by a slate of 45 seasoned judges. In addition to cooking goat, many teams choose to participate in the "Mystery Meat Challenge" as well. These brave chefs have to be prepared for anything, because they won't know what they are cooking until they receive their product at cooker registration Friday night.
Vendors in the 38th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair will be open at noon on Friday for enjoyment along with the Food Court and Children's Games. Friday evening also features a washer pitching tournament, cooker registration, a welcome party and dance. The free dance in the park will feature live music from The Rance Norton Band.
Folks will literally hit the ground running bright and early at dawn Saturday morning for the Goat Gallop 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk at Bulldog Stadium. Saturday morning will also feature a pancake breakfast until 10am at the VFW Hall near the entrance of Richards Park. Washer and horseshoe pitching registration opens at 8am with the Arts & Crafts Fair continuing at 9amalong with the Food Court and Children's Games. There will be a full BBQ goat and sausage meal served by The Spread Pit BBQ to the general public beginning at 11am while supplies last.
Mystery meat judging will begin at 2pm, followed by goat meat judging at 3pm with the awards ceremony rounding things out in the park at approximately 5pm.
Festivities will be capped off with live music in downtown Brady on the historic McCulloch County courthouse square. This year features performances by Aaron Kothmann and Reckless Kelly. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate with a cooler tag charge of $5 if folks BYOB. No glass containers are allowed!
This event draws thousands of people to Brady from all across the country and has made our small town something to talk about. We are proud of our tradition and look forward to sharing it with you. Come visit the World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off, and celebrate with us as we enjoy our 42nd annual event this Labor Day weekend in Brady, Texas.
For more information, contact the Brady/McCulloch County Chamber of Commerce at 325-597-3491, visit us online at www.bradytx.com or email [email protected].
