2,000 racks of ribs to sizzle Saturday

More than 2,000 racks of ribs will be cooked up Saturday during the 10th Annual Rachel Determan Memorial Rib Cook-Off at Yuma Catholic High School.

Organizers say they expect this to be the biggest event in the cook-off's history with a possibility of up to 25 teams competing for the title of rib cook-off champion.

The event is named for Rachel Determan, who died of leukemia in 2008. She planned to go to Yuma Catholic and would have been a junior this year.

“Rachel Determan is a great inspiration to everybody at the school and her parents, brother and sister play a big role at Yuma Catholic. We're very honored to remember her every year,” said event director Lauren Bird.

The cook with the best ribs will be awarded the Dr. John Wilhelmy Championship Cup to keep for a year. The trophy is named for the late dentist who was one of the cook-off's first supporters.

The first-place winner will also take home a prize of $1,000. Second place will receive $500, and third place $300.

Allied Waste, which has formed one of the teams this year, will have a large unused garbage truck that has been converted into a cooker to whip up some ribs.

“It travels all around the country and we're lucky to have it at our event this year,” said Bird.

All teams are required to prepare a side dish, which will also be judged. First place will receive $200, second place $150 and third place $100.

Activities will include continuous entertainment, children's activities, food and drink vendors, rib-eating contest and, of course, judging of the ribs and side dishes.

A myriad of prizes will be raffled off, and tickets are $1 each. Prizes include golf outings, local hotel stays, poinsettias, a fur coat and gift cards for local restaurants.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the school's soccer field, 2100 W. 28th St. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the school; at Alexander Ford, 801 E. 32nd St.; and at the door.

Bird said everything will cost $1, including a variety of side dishes such as chili, beans, macaroni salad, roasted corn, tortillas as well as desserts and drinks.

Proceeds will go toward the school's operating costs.

“I would encourage the public to come out, it's a great family event and it's great to come out and support the teams and the members of the community who are out there cooking up their ribs and more than that, come out and support Yuma Catholic High School,” Bird said.

For more information, call Yuma Catholic at 317-7910.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer or on Twitter at @YSSarahWomer.