JOHN DAY Camp cooks, its time to dig through your favorite family recipes and dust off that dutch oven or barbecue grill.

Bragging rights are on line.

The Grant County Fair Board and staff are planning a new event, a camp cook-off, to be held Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Heritage Barn at the Fairgrounds in John Day.

With assistance from J.C. Oliver, Country Natural Beef has donated some of their natural tri-tip for the contest. Participants will also cook with pork ribs and chicken in the judged event.

Gas barbecues will not be allowed.

The vendor fee is $50 per contestant, with half the money going into a jackpot. Contestants will get free meat, and can also sell any products they have that go with their entry. Each will create small samples with a side of their choice, for people to try, or for sale, by the plateful.

There will be prizes for both the peoples choice and judges winners.

Early signups are encouraged. At this time, the vendor limit is planned at 30, so that there will be enough meat for all the contestants.

Anyone interested in being a vendor, volunteer or sponsor, call fair manager Mary Weaver, 541-620-0880, or J.C. Oliver at 541-542-2584.

Registration forms and information will soon be available at the fair office, online at www.grantcountyfairgrounds.com, or on the Fairgrounds Facebook page.