NILES — The Four Flags Area Apple Festival announced earlier this week that the festival will start a new tradition and host the Apple Festival Backyard Griller’s BBQ cook-off contest.

The cook-off will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Apple Festival grounds, 1740 Lake St. At 6 p.m., prize money and trophies will be distributed to winners.  There is $1000.00 in money to be paid out in two categories and an overall grand champion, plus door prizes during the day to the teams.

Registration forms and rules and regulations for the inaugural Backyard Griller’s BBQ cook-off contest are now ready.

This year’s contest will include two categories: chicken and pork ribs. There will be prizes for first, second and third in each category. $125 first place, $75 second place and $50 third place along with trophies in each category. Judging will be blind judging by six judges who will score points in three categories: appearance, tenderness/texture and taste.

This is a rain or shine event so plan accordingly. Following the competition, there will be a free concert featuring Chris Higbee beginning at 8 p.m.

Registration forms along with rules of the contest are available by visiting going to the Apple Festival web site at fourflagsapplefestival.org/documents or by sending an email to afbackyardgrillers18@yahoo.com. Space is limited to the first 20 entries received before the July 31 deadline. There is no entry fee to compete but a Berrien County Health Department Temporary Food permit is required before the day of the event.

Those interested in being judges should also contact the organization to express interest. There is a four-hour commitment from 2 to 6 p.m. for those interested in being judges. There are six judge positions available.

With the entry, competitors will have a space reserved and two AFBYG’s T-shirts for the team.

Information for shirt sizes is on the registration form.

Further questions can be answered by contacting afbackyardgrillers18@yahoo.com.

This year, is Tom Nyhuis committee chairman for the Four Flags Apple Festival and Nicole Mayeris the co-chair.