With Cruisin’ to the Square coming up tomorrow in Jefferson, there will be a lot more than classic and modern vehicles filling up the streets of the downtown area.

Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community Events and Tourism Coordinator Matt Wetrich says there will also be a poker walk that includes eight retail businesses. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio those who register for the poker walk and have at least seven of the eight businesses stamp their card, those individuals will draw five cards and the top eight best poker hands will receive $25 in Chamber Bucks. Wetrich talks about the long term implications this promotion can have.

“We’ve heard this from business owners in past years, people do come back. They’re like, ‘Oh I’ve never been in this shop before, I didn’t realize you had this here in Jefferson.’ And we’re going to hand them this map to take home with them and they’ll get home and remember some of the stuff they did in Jefferson, and that’s part of the poker walk. Maybe not a lot of sales happen that night for these businesses but it gets people coming back.”    

Additionally, there will be a new aspect of a BBQ Cook Off hosted by Murphy Farm Meats. Organizers say there will be several teams, including a group that won at the Kansas City Royals in Pork Butt and Chicken competition. Judging begins at 4pm with chicken, pork ribs, pork butt and brisket categories. Winners will be announced at 6pm and prize money will be given away. Following the contest, the public can enjoy free samples. The contest will take place at 210 West Washington Street, in front of their location which is currently under construction.

Cruisin’ to the Square will take place from 4:30-7pm and Raccoon Valley Radio’s Big Red Radio will broadcast live from 4-6pm.