May 29, 2026
4:30pm Registration Closes | 5:15pm Cooks Meeting & Meat Distribution
6:30pm Kids Que Meat Turn-In | 7:00pm Junior Que Meat Turn-In
Approximately 7:45pm Awards

(Please provide a number that you can be reached at during the competition)

Spring into Summer is hosted by the Steele County Agricultural Society

© 2026 All Rights Reserved

The undersigned participant, and his or her parent or legal guardian if the participant is under the age of 18 years, does/do hereby execute this release, waiver, and indemnification for himself or herself / themselves and his or her/their heirs, successors, representatives, and assigns and, thereby, agree(s) and represents as follows: To release the Steele County Agricultural Society, County of Steele, and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), their members, employees, agents, representatives, subsidiary corporations, sponsors, and other organizations affiliated with this activity from any and all liability, loss, damage, costs, claims, and/or causes of action, including but not limited to all bodily injuries and property damage arising out of participation in the activity, it being specifically understood that said activity includes the handling of cooking equipment, utensils, knives live fire, food preparation and cleaning chemicals by the undersigned participant. The undersigned person(s) further agree(s) to indemnify the Steele County Agricultural Society, County of Steele, and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), its employees, members, agents, representatives, sponsors, and other organizations affiliated with this contest, and hold them harmless for any liability, loss, damage, cost, claim judgment, or settlement which may be brought or entered against them as a result of the undersigned person's participation in said activity.

If involved in cooking activities the undersigned(s) execute(s) this waiver of the undersigned(s) rights to sue and agree(s) to assume all risks resulting from the "intrinsic dangers of cooking activities". "Intrinsic dangers of cooking activities" is defined as those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of cooking activities, including but not limited to, (i) The use of live fire as a heat source for the purpose of cooking such as charcoal, wood or pellet type appliances; (ii) The use of knives, cleavers or other sharp devices used for the purposes of preparing proteins for cooking. (iii) The handling of hot items such as cooked proteins, sauces and cooking appliance apparatus (grill grates, smoker lids firebox doors, etc.) This waiver shall remain valid unless expressly revoked by the participant or Parent or guardian of a minor. The revocation shall be in writing which shall be delivered to the provider and shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery to the provider.

The undersigned(s) agrees to maintain all medical and health insurance needed to cover all risks of any kind in any place in competition, and/or other activities.

I, the undersigned participant, have read and understand the KCBS Rules, will wear and use, in accordance with established food safety guidelines gloves, aprons and closed toe shoes, cook proteins to appropriate food safety recommendations, have approved adult supervision in my site and keep the cook area clean at all times.

Steele County Agricultural Society, KCBS and their affiliates use photographs or video or audio footage or testimonials of KCBS cook team members for local, regional, or publicity purposes. By my signature below I give permission for the Steele County Agricultural Society and Kansas City Barbeque Society to use such reproductions for publicity purposes.

Spring into Summer is hosted by the Steele County Agricultural Society

© 2026 All Rights Reserved

There are two age divisions:

• 10 and under, known as Kid's Que
• 11 through 16, now known as Junior Que

The mission of youth contests is to support youth in their quest to learn to cook and barbeque in a safe and fair competition, while continuing to build the future of BBQ, cooking, and the American Way of Life.

• The younger kids will prepare, cook, and box their entries from their sponsor team's site. Parents should let the kids do as much as they are capable of, given age and abilities.
• The emphasis in this age group is bonding with their family/friends, learning how to cook and growing their skills with familiar mentors.
• The focus should be to encourage kids to have fun while learning.

• The older kids will get to compete in a kid-only environment and allowed to challenge their peers much like they do in any other sport or activity that hosts competitions and tournaments.
• Parents can encourage their children but cannot help/do any of the cooking. Each entry shall be cooked by one child only.
• The child must do the preparation, cooking, and presentation. This means that the child should be able to put his/her own protein on the grill/smoker, turn his/her own protein on the grill/smoker, remove the protein from the grill/smoker, and do all garnishing (if garnish is being used).
• Must be able to temp and flip their own food.

Spring into Summer is hosted by the Steele County Agricultural Society | © 2026 All Rights Reserved

• Are allowed to bring written or pictorial notes with them for guidance but must be able to read/follow it themselves. It helps if the children make these note sheets themselves.
• Competitors should trim any of their meats, as needed, and volunteers will be available to help as necessary.
• For any child who has any disabilities, or other condition that may prohibit them from being able to compete solely on their own, it is recommended their parent or guardian reach out to the Rep and/or Organizer as early as practical so that reasonable accommodations can be made.

All of the above information shall be included in a "cook's packet" for the Kid's Que competitors. In addition, this packet/letter should include:

• A list of items needed: This shall include (but is not limited to:):
• Rubs, sauces, and other ingredients to be used in preparation of entry
• Garnish, if used
• Cutting boards - if not provided by organizer
• Gloves

The type of meat being cooked, and if provided, the quantity/weight of product.

Garnish is optional. If used, the standard KCBS garnish rules apply.

Organizers may adjust garnish rules for the younger kids as they see fit. This could allow for different garnish, box decorating, etc. in order to increase the fun and creativity for the younger division.

• Organizers should ensure that there will be enough volunteers in the Junior Q area to:
  • assist with cutting
  • open and close grill and vents, if requested by Junior Que Cook
  • Assist with fire management (starting fires, etc.)
  • remind kids to wear/change gloves and wipe up blood or juices to avoid cross contamination
  • pick up dropped food for disposal.
• No temping instruction can be given due to the variance of individual instruction styles. It is the competitor's responsibility to be aware of any minimum food safe temperature.
• This staff shall be chosen by the organizer in conjunction with the KCBS Rep to avoid family friends of competitors, fellow cook teams, or anyone else who may be inclined to over-assist the cooks.
• These volunteers must be CLEARLY briefed on their scope before the contest starts.

Spring into Summer is hosted by the Steele County Agricultural Society | © 2026 All Rights Reserved

• These rules and guidelines will provide the kid competitors with a fair and safe space to learn what we already have a love of BBQ and competitive cooking.

• 4'x8' Table with a tape line in the middle that creates (2) 4'x4' spaces
• Trash receptacles in enough quantity that kids can easily use during prep process
• At tape line, to be shared by both competitors:
• Roll of paper towels
• Tube of sanitizing wipes
• Kids are responsible for bringing their own pit that they are comfortable with. Alternatively, if a sponsor would like to provide/donate grills, that is acceptable.
• Grills should be pre-lit. This can be accomplished by using chimney scoops of coals drawn from a larger grill or raised fire pit. Whatever process is used, there should be ample prep so that grills can be at temp before cooking begins.
• A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher must be available to the volunteers even if it is shared. The first aid kit must include instant cold packs.

• Establish a hard perimeter around the cooking area, preferably at least 20 feet. Obviously, work within the space available and adjust as necessary. This can be marked by ribbon tape or a temporary fence.
• Parents MUST stay behind this perimeter.
• Parents shall be informed that they cannot communicate cooking related instructions with their child during the Kids Que. If parents are caught providing excess help, the KCBS reps may take any steps necessary to remedy the situation, up to and including, disqualification of the Junior competitor. The Reps are the final arbiter of a contest, and their decisions are final.

1. Competitors: Each registration shall be for one youth cook competitor.
   1. Divisions: There will be two age group divisions:
      1. Kid's Que 10 years of age and under
      2. Junior Que: 11-16 years of age

Spring into Summer is hosted by the Steele County Agricultural Society | © 2026 All Rights Reserved

• Kid's Que: 1 pound of Hamburger Beef
• Junior Que: 1 Beef Steak at approximately 1.25-1.5 pounds

• Grill (Kid's Que Only)
• Charcoal
• Paper Towels
• Sanitizing Wipes
• Table
• Trash Receptacle

• Grill (Junior Que Only).
• Rubs, seasonings, sauces, and other ingredients to be used in preparation of entry.
• Garnish, if used.
• Cutting Board(s)
• Cutting utensils (knives, scissors, etc.)
• Gloves
• Cooking Utensils (spatulas, tongs, etc.)

• All children will cook in the designated area.
• The child/cook must do the preparation, cooking, and presentation.
• All items must be in place at the designated times for grill starting.
• The adult supervision/volunteers will help start the grills as needed.
• Those who may need special accommodations should communicate with the event organizer such needs at their earliest convenience so that accommodations can be made.

a. If using garnish, the following rules apply:

i. Garnish is limited to chopped, sliced, shredded, or whole leaves offresh green lettuce, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley, curly green kaleand/or cilantro.

ii. Prohibited garnishes are lettuce cores, stems separated from leaves,and other vegetation, including but not limited to: endive, red tippedlettuce.

7. Entry Submission:

a. Entries will be submitted in the numbered containers provided by Spring IntoSummer Organizers. Containers are 9”x9”x3”

b. Child/Cook must be standing in the “Turn-In Area” by the designated times tohave their entry accepted.

c. Kid’s Que entries will consist of at least two hamburger patties.

8. Judging:

a. Judging will be on the following categories:

i. Appearance

ii. Tenderness/Texture

iii. Taste

b. Judging ranges from 9 being the highest and 2 being the lowest score.

9. Affiliation: Competitors do not need to be affiliated with a team that is competing inthe Backyard BBQ contest.

10. Alcohol: Absolutely NO alcohol in the preparation/cooking or judging areas.

11. Authorized Areas: Only cooks and authorized workers/volunteers will be allowed Ithe preparation/cooking areas.

12. Competition Capacity: A limit of 15 entrants per division on a first come first servedbasis. All registration forms must be in by 4:30pm, Friday, May 29, 2026.