‘Revamped’ Smokin’ on Broadway will unfold July 15

    It’s going to be a busy day in Imperial July 15 when the chamber of commerce hosts the 7th annual Smokin’ on Broadway BBQ contest and concert at City Square.
    A committee of chamber members is finalizing details for the event, which includes the BBQ contest return, said Shawn Jaeger, one of the committee members. It was called off last year.
    “We have revamped our beloved event this year by partnering with the Midwest Barbecue Association to host the smoking competition,” Jaeger said.
    That collaboration means a prize purse that has increased to $3,000, he said.
    Due to the MBA’s involvement, the committee anticipates 20 or more teams will be vying for the top prize.
    Committee member Matt Musgrove said registrations have just opened for the smokin’ contest, and he’s already received some.
    This year, competitors will smoke brisket, pulled pork, ribs and bone-in chicken thighs, he said.
    While the smokers will be starting much earlier, public events kick off at 4 p.m. when the gates open and beer garden sales begin.
    That’s also the start time for a new event at Smokin’—the Chase County Challenge sponsored by the Imperial Community Foundation Fund.
    The Challenge is a new matching funds campaign offered by the Imperial Community Foundation Fund. Any donations made to eligible nonprofits during the 24-hour July 15 time frame will earn an added donation from the ICFF.
     The committee anticipates around 25 non-profit organizations being represented during the afternoon/evening of the event with booths set up on the grounds.
    A barbecue meal, which will include the contestants smoked meat, will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. at $10 a plate.
    The day will include a concert once again from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring CW & Twenty Hands High.
    Jaeger said several event sponsors have already committed their support and more are being added daily.
    Those interested in being a sponsor can send a message through their event’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/smokinonbroadway.
    Activity that day in Imperial won’t be limited to City Square.
    Smokin’ on Broadway is on the first day of the Class C Jr. Legion State Baseball Tournament July 15-19 at Imperial’s Campbell Park.
    The SW Nebraska Entrepreneur group has also scheduled its Summer Sale-A-Bration craft fair for July 15.
About the band
    CW & Twenty Hands High has been called one of country music’s hottest bands in the Rocky Mountain Region.
    CW is lead vocalist and plays rhythm guitar. He formed his Colorado-based band in 2017 and has crafted a solid set list of original songs including “Same Ol’ Star,” “Live by the Sword and “Tin Roof Romance,” among others.
    The band’s single “Back to Wichita” netted a nod for “Song of the Year” by the Mississippi Music Foundation and was nominated for a Josie Music Award in several categories. The Josie Music Awards ceremony will take place in Nashville in October.
    In addition to the band’s original work, they play a variety of music from The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs and Cody Johnson.
    Other band members from the Denver area include lead guitarist Mark Gabert, bassist Jodie Woodward and drummer Scotty Rivera.
    CW & Twenty Hands High has opened for national acts including Pat Green, Wade Bowen, Josh Ward, Pam Tillis, Chancey Williams, Suzy Bogguss and Sam Riggs.
    They have played concerts throughout Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona and Utah.
    Jaeger noted another significant change is the addition of a covered stage for the concert, complete with a 13,000-watt digital sound system & LED light show by Mega Music of Sterling, Colorado.