“On behalf of the Big Eagle Lake Improvement Association, thank you to each one who came out for our 6th Annual ‘Smokin’ Pulled Pork Cook-Off’ and fundraiser supporting Big Eagle Lake,” said Event Chair Lori Andreen.
All who attended expressed they had a great time with a great location. There were lots of people, delicious food and beverages, fabulous prizes, and great games for all attending.
“We are still getting our final figures tallied but we will have made over $10K when all the finals are in,” said Andreen. “That will go far to getting us on the right track for 2025.”
Ten PitMaster Teams worked through the night to bring guests their delicious samples. It is quite an endeavor, and the organizers and attendees enjoyed all their efforts.
Congratulations to the winning teams of: First Place: Pig Pen BBQ; Second Place: BBQ Boys; Third Place: Smoken John; People’s Choice Award: Pig Pen BBQ
Other winners include:
• Vikings Tickets raffle went to Jay Lee of Jeff and Marie Johnson’s family; Amanda Swan won the Lupulin Quilt raffle; Boat Races: JR McGuire and Kathie Lewis won the race and the side bet.
Special recognition and thanks need to be given to the following people and places:
Lupulin Brewing: Lupulin Brewing was phenomenal in their support of this cook-off. From allowing complimentary use of their space, paying for the band (The New Vintage), donating prizes for the silent auction and the games, technology help, and the use of their refrigerator.
Special thanks to Tracy Plautz for her coordination and cooperation to ensure all things ran smoothly.
To Marcus Paulsen for all the artwork and signage he created for the event.
Donations: George Wallin, Jeff Johnson, and everyone who pounded the pavement to request donations from area businesses. Thank you to Beck’s Greenhouse and Vegetable Farm, Coborn’s, Von Hanson’s Meats, Cub, and McDonald’s who all donated to the event’s concessions. Thank you to Marie Johnson who carefully documented each donation for the records to thank the donors.
George and Raquel Wallin for their generous donation of Vikings Tickets for the Indianapolis Colts game.
Lori Neisess had help from Raquel Wallin and Jude Westerlind, but Lori primarily collected donations for the silent auction, created an inventory, took pictures, organized the baskets, and got everything ready for our online auction.
Thank you to Sarah Phillips and her family who ran the event’s concessions. Sarah’s family and a crew of neighborhood kiddos picked up and shucked 100 ears of corn from Beck’s Greenhouse and Vegetable Farm. Sarah also picked up multiple items donated from Coborn’s for the concessions.
Thanks to Sarah, Renee Christiansen, Jude Westerlind, and Debbie Sievert who boiled water (at great personal duress) for the ‘Cooler Corn’ and helped at the Concessions area. Sarah and her family also put together 100s of plates for all the guests before the event.
Marcie Swanson created the ‘Boat Race’ Game and managed it despite not feeling well.
Amanda Swan for the creation of the Pull-a-Pork Game.
BELIA friends who donated wine and spirits to the Wine Wall. Over $600 was made from the donations as well as expensive wines going into special basket. Thank you to Dwight Buehler and Chad Brentesen, who worked to make this another success.
To Kevin McClurg for creating the program used this weekend for the raffle drawings. This was a huge help tracking the winning raffle tickets. And to Sandy McClurg, Julie Fossum, Kathie Lewis, and Kyle and Katherine Nerison, who helped to run it. Also to Aaron Becker, Sam France, JR McGuire and Gordy Westerlind, who handed out the ‘Arm Reach’ tickets and circulated throughout the day.
Friends of BELIA: Paul Ellinger, JR McGuire, Bill DeVries, Rick Neisess, Gordy Westerlind, JR McGuire and daughter, and Mike Donnelly who set up the tents and tables and made sure everything was ready to go.
A special thanks to JR and his daughter along with his friend Mike who helped to welcome the PitMasters and handed out very heavy packages of meat Friday night.
George Wallin and Juiie Brenteson, who recruited and facilitated the event’s fabulous judges: Raeanne Danielowski, Sherburne County Commissioner, Dominic Dake, from Willy’s on the Water, Danny Acuna, food blogger, Jeff Zierdt, owner of Lupulin Brewing and a last-minute addition of Gordy Westerlind, former BELIA Board Member who ‘likes to eat’.
Sam Buehler, Paul Ellinger, and Rick Neisess managed the till and handed out tickets.
Brad Phillips, Mike Donnelly, along with Kim and Bill DeVries sold tickets throughout the event.
The ‘New Vintage Band’ kept everyone moving and grooving to their great music all afternoon.
To Bill DeVries, who washed Lupulin glasses the entire event, keeping the customers happy.
Joanne Tollas, who counted the Peoples Choice tickets at the last minute.
“To Ken Andreen for putting up with a stressed-out wife and filling in wherever needed,” said Lori. “He, along with all the husbands and wives of the BELIA board and events team, are to be thanked. We are grateful for your support.”
