"NO GOATS, NO GLORY" is the theme for the 2011 World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd! Brady National Bank and Carmeuse Industrial Sands are proud to bring you the 38th annual event full of food, fun and festivities for all to enjoy.

The Goat Cook-Off is a unique tradition that started in Brady, the county seat of McCulloch County, in1973 as a fundraiser for the Jaycees. The Chamber of Commerce now coordinates the event. As the event has grown many things have changed, but what has always remained constant is the world-renowned barbequed goat and the celebration of our agricultural heritage.

The goat market has an important economic impact on McCulloch County. The county sits as the geographic center of the hill country and west Texas area where the majority of goats raised in Texas are located. There are approximately 10,000 goats in McCulloch County, which ranks among the top counties in the nation for the number of goats produced. Quite obviously, the goat industry is vital to the local economy.

For years, teams have gathered to pit their barbequing skills against one another in this open cook-off and we, once again, have a full slate of 206 teams this year! In addition to cooking goat, many teams choose to participate in the "Mystery Meat Challenge" as well. These brave chefs have to be prepared for anything, because they won’t know what they are cooking until they receive their products at the Welcome Party on Friday night.

Vendors in the 34th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair will be open beginning at noon on Friday this year. The Food Court and Children’s Games will also be available for your enjoyment Friday afternoon. That evening features a washer pitching tournament, cooker registration, a welcome party and dance. The free dance will feature live music from Landon Dodd & The Dancehall Drifters.

Folks will literally hit the ground running bright and early Saturday morning during the Goat Gallop 5K Fun Run & Walk. The Arts & Crafts Fair continues at 9am along with a horseshoe and washer pitching tournament. Landon Dodd & The Dancehall Drifters will return to the park to entertain the crowd on the judges stage during the day. There will be a BBQ goat meal served to the general public from 11am until 1pm. Plates will be $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Judging will begin at 2pm and the awards ceremony will round things out at the park at 4pm.

Festivities will be capped off with live music in downtown Brady on the courthouse square. This year features performances by William Clark Green, Johnny Bush, and The Josh Abbott Band. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate with a cooler tag charge of $5 if folks BYOB. No glass bottles are allowed!

This event draws thousands of people to Brady from all across the country and has made our small town something to talk about. We are proud of our tradition and look forward to sharing it with you. Come visit the World Championship BBQ Goat

Cook-Off, and celebrate with us as we enjoy our 38th annual event this Labor Day weekend in Brady, Texas. For more

information, contact the Brady/McCulloch County Chamber of Commerce at 325-597-3491 or email info@bradytx.com.