The smoke is about to be rolling carrying the tantalizing scent of award-winning barbecue at Smoke On The Water’s BBQ Competition and Benefit on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Old Settlers Park located at 809 Woodland Drive, Lynnville.
Eighteen teams of pitmasters and BBQ enthusiasts from across the state will put their top-secret recipes to the test at the annual event that promises “Good People, Good Food, Good Cause.” Smoke On The Water, now in its 11th year, is sanctioned by the Iowa BBQ Society. Teams will be competing for bragging rights and prize money in four meat categories. There will also be a KidsQ Competition where youth can show off their burger-flipping skills as they cook up delicious ground beef with prizes on the line. Visit the Smoke On The Water BBQ Competition and Benefit Facebook page to learn more about signing up for this year’s KidsQ.
The family-friendly event is open to the public. Singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and a prayer will take place at noon on Saturday. The community is invited to treat themselves to award-winning BBQ with a public tasting that begins at 4 p.m. Awards will be announced shortly after at 5 p.m. on the stage. Following the awards, the 50/50 drawing and a live auction featuring gift certificates, Iowa Hawkeye football tickets, artwork, and more will help raise money for the good cause. Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys will provide the evening entertainment from 8-11 p.m.
This year’s beneficiary is Keegan Schnell, son of Jer and Jodi Schnell. Keegan will soon start his sophomore year at Lynnville-Sully, where he is active in cross-country, track, and band. All proceeds from the 2024 Smoke On The Water will go to Keegan and his family.
Last summer, while diligently logging miles for cross-country, Keegan started experiencing stomach pains. Several trips to the ER and extensive scans ensued with the cause remaining elusive. Keegan missed a few critical weeks of practice as his freshman season kicked off, but was able to get back to running and competing for the Hawks. On Oct. 2, hours after finishing a cross-country meet, Keegan developed severe stomach pains that required medical attention. He was later life-flighted to the University of Iowa Hospitals where it was discovered his small intestine had twisted, forming a blood clot in the main artery of his small intestine, which cut off blood flow. The condition caused his small intestine to die, leading to sepsis. Keegan bravely endured multiple surgeries during his 37-day hospital stay.
The goal of the daily injection is to be less dependent on IV nutrition and prep for a future surgery to again try to reconnect his small intestine to his colon.
Keegan and his family have been long-standing pillars of strength for the community. Jer and Jodi have served area youth leading Lynnville Friends Church’s FOCUS youth group for 20-plus years. On Saturday, the community will have an opportunity to give back to the Schnells and help them in this medical journey by attending Smoke On The Water.
The SOTW order of events is:
Saturday, Aug. 24:
10 a.m. KidsQ meeting and meat handout on stage south of pavilion.
11:30 a.m. KidsQ Sr. turn-in (ages 11-16) at doorway on west end of pavilion.
11:45 a.m. KidsQ Jr. turn-in (ages 5-10) at doorway on west end of pavilion.
Noon prayer and “The National Anthem” at shelter.
Noon-6 p.m. merchandise tent manned at tent west of shelter.
1 p.m. KidsQ awards on stage south of pavilion.
4 p.m. tasting begins!
5 p.m. awards on stage south of the pavilion.
5:30 p.m.-ish 50/50 drawing (must be present to win) on stage south of pavilion.
6-7:30 p.m. auction on stage south of pavilion.
After auction, present Keegan Schnell with the big check on stage south of pavilion.
8-11 p.m. concert by Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys on stage on the basketball slab.
Today, after months of healing and working his way back to school and strength, Keegan is back with his team logging miles for the 2024 season. Keegan relies on TPN (total parenteral nutrition) for nutrients and takes a daily injection
