Tailgating and beer sampling will be perfect activities for the fall weather predicted for Saturday at Osage City. A beer sampling festival along with a tailgate cookoff among county chefs will be at the Osage City’s Jones Park and Osage City Parks and Recreation building.
The Osage City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the beer fest, which is expected to feature as many as 40 craft beers offered by a variety of vendors. The beer tasting will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 5, and persons age 21 and over will be able to enjoy beer samples by purchasing a $15 wrist band.
A limited number of tickets are available, and can be purchased in Osage City at Flint Hills Beverage, 132 W. Market St., Stark Car Wash, 618 Market St., or Bank of Osage City, 913 Market St.
Home Brew Contest
To add to the beer fest, the Chamber is also sponsoring a homebrewed beer contest. The contest is open to Osage County’s amateur beer brewers, who can submit samples of their home brewed beer for judging. The contest will be held Saturday, Oct. 5.
For more information about the home brew contest or the beer sampling festival, contact Becky Siljenberg at 785-217-7342 or bsiljenberg@flinthillsbeverage.com, or Jim Lohmeyer, 785-217-7615. Both beer events are sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.
Osage County Tailgate Showdown
Although plenty of refreshing libations will be available, the fall day won’t be complete without some tailgating treats, such as those to be cooked up during the Osage County Tailgate Showdown. The cooking competition, for tailgate chefs or teams who are from Osage County, will begin on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Jones Park, Osage City. A fee is $75 per team covers entry into the three main Showdown categories and campsite or 20 by 30 or 20 by 40 feet. Team check-in is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, with the cooks meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Osage City Community Building, at Jones Park. Showdown Turn-in times and categories for Saturday’s competition are: Best Burger, noon; Cook’s Choice, 12:30 p.m., and Dessert at 1 p.m.
Award will be given in for grand champion, $250; reserve champion, $150; and first, $150, second, $100, and third place, $50, in the three categories. The best camp site wins $150 and an award. For more information about the Tailgate Showdown, contact Corey Linton, 785-528-4610, or at rec@osagecity.com. An official team entry form is available here. The Showdown is sponsored by Osage City Parks and Recreation.
Taste of Osage County
Following the cooking competition will be a chance for everyone to enjoy the fall tailgating atmosphere of Jones Park during the Taste of Osage County, a food sampling festival with the day’s competitors serving as the honored chefs for the evening. Beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, the serving line will be open until 7 p.m. or until “the food runs out.” All Showdown competitors are asked to participate in the cookout to showcase the fine culinary talents that satisfy the gastronomic cravings of weekend tailgaters across Osage County.
Everyone is invited to the tailgate party, and food can be purchased with BBQ Bucks, which is also the traditional currency of Osage City’s annual Taste of Osage City event, held in conjunction with the Smoke in the Spring barbecue competition. BBQ Bucks, which can be used at either event, will be available for sale at the Taste of Osage County, or can be purchased at Osage City Hall this week.
