New Holland Summer Fest coordinator Nate Martin likes to share the story of how the New Holland community pulled together to help a contestant at the 2023 event. "A team called me on Friday," recalled Martin, who noted the Smoke Craft barbecue team was on its way from Virginia to New Holland to compete in Summer Fest. "They had trailer problems, but they wanted to get here to do the competition no matter what it took," Martin shared.

After several phone calls, Martin learned that the team's trailer could not be repaired. He quickly called Meadow Creek Barbecue Supply, and the business offered a smoker for the team to use. Smoke Craft team members grabbed the bare necessities they needed for competing and headed north in a pickup truck.

"The Summer Fest committee picked up the smoker and set up a spot for (the Smoke Craft team near Kinzer Avenue)," shared Martin, who added that other competing teams and Summer Fest sponsors pulled together the other items Smoke Craft needed. "(Smoke Craft) had never cooked on one of these cookers before, but (the team) ended up getting reserve grand champion," said Martin.

The 25th annual New Holland Summer Fest will be held on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23 and 24, at New Holland Community Park on East Jackson Street, New Holland. The event will feature a State Champion Barbecue (SCB) competition on Aug. 23 and the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) competition on Aug. 24.

This year, Martin hopes to line up more than 60 teams for the two competitions. "Friday night we hold a cookoff sanctioned by the SCA," explained Martin. "The winner of that is automatically invited to the SCA World Championship at Fort Worth in Texas." The main Summer Fest competition is the KCBS event, which usually involves four main categories - chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. "Summer Fest is unique because we add three more," noted Martin, who added that sausage, whole hog, and chef's choice are also part of the competition. This year, in celebration of the 25th anniversary, Martin plans to name the chef's choice award after founder Chuck Sheffield. Entries are judged in a double-blind test by KCBS qualified judges. "Entries are scored on appearance, tenderness, and taste," said Martin, who added that the best entrant in the four categories is the grand champion.

To involve the community more in the competition, coordinators have scheduled a variety of activities during the fest. The park will open at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, and by 11 a.m., food vendors, including the Summer Fest stand selling chicken barbecue dinners, will be open. Stands selling ice cream, seafood, and barbecue will be on-site, and the Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR) canteen will sell burgers, hot dogs, and french fries.

Martin said that a community s'mores event is planned for the evening of Aug. 23 and that The Nomads will play live in the park from 6 to 9 p.m. that evening.

On Saturday, Kids' Day will be held, featuring a dunk tank, face painting, and a candy drop from the GSFR ladder truck. Martin also hopes to provide free hot dogs for lunch for children in attendance.

As in the past, all funds raised by Summer Fest will benefit GSFR. For more information, including the complete schedule, visit https://gsfr39.net/summerfest or search for "New Holland Summer Fest" on Facebook.