If you're headed to the downtown Lincoln square this weekend, bring your appetite.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned barbeque competition on the square brings professional cooks from all over the country. According to Nicole Cox, Director of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, they will be on the square through the day today with the competition to take place tomorrow.

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The KCBS competition has judges come in for the competition on Saturday. The competitors make their presentations Saturday and the judges consist of local dignitaries and many others. According to Cox, the judges have to apply and are appointed by the KCBS.

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The winner of the BBQ cookoff receives $15-thousand. Cox says that has made the event very popular but she also believes the KCBS affiliations is a big boost as well.

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The BBQ competition in the previous four years of it's existence was part of the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, which was later in the summer. Now it is it's own stand alone event and Cox says while there was some apprehension in the community, the businesses that suppor them have been behind the shakeup 100%.