Staying Home for Labor Day?

Dueling pianos, classic and fancy automobiles, barbecue, a brew garden, football, a farmer's market and a run for cystic fibrosis may not seem to have much in common.

But they do: They're all taking place in Ames tonight through Sunday.

The 10^th Annual All American Weekend, which starts tonight, began in 2002 as a response to 9/11. Organizers wanted to honor those lost and give Ames residents a reason to stay home and enjoy themselves, said original event organizer John Vetter.

Labor Day is the last big weekend of the summer.

“Instead of everyone leaving town we (would) give Ames a spot to go,” Vetter said.

Entertainment begins 8 p.m. tonight with a Las Vegas-style music and comedy act, "Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos." The show is nearly sold out, said Sonya Stoltze-Newstrom, All American Event Coordinator, but anyone can still register for tonight's Captain Midnight's Run to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research.

The majority of activities take place downtown Saturday with the All American Car Show, the All American Barbecue Bash, a Kansas City Barbeque Association sanctioned event, the and Brew Garden. And the 6 p.m. game will be televised for those who don't have tickets.

“There are a lot of reasons to come to downtown Ames for Labor Day weekend,” Vetter said.

People could stop downtown for part or all of the day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and have something to do, Stoltze-Newstrom said.

Vetter, Iowa Street Rod Vice President of Programming, expects about 150 cars to line Main Street for Saturday's show.

“A lot of what you see isn't your every day driver on the road,” he said.

Cars dating from 1900 to present are eligible to enter. Tickets will also be sold to raise funds for prizes and Youth and Shelter Services. A moment of silence will be taken to remember 9/11.

The car show and barbecue have always played a role in the All American weekend, Vetter said.

Firefighters used to do the barbecue cooking, but interest waned and now local barbecue enthusiasts Stoltze-Newstrom and her husband have taken on the challenge. Stoltze-Newstrom organized the barbecue competition in 2010 and brought it back again this year.

“I would say competition BBQ seems to be one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” Stoltze-Newstrom said.

It's been the theme of two reality shows including one on TLC called BBQ Pitmasters. Iowa team, A Boy and His Barbecue, which appeared on the TLC show, will compete in this weekend's event. Two of the top teams in the nation, out of the 5,000 Kansas City Barbecue Association teams, will also compete.

Vending competitors marked with a balloon will sell samples Saturday and Sunday, but a lot of people will also enjoy checking out the various kinds of cookers pitmasters use, Stoltze-Newstrom said.

Members of 35 barbecue teams will set up on Burnett Avenue near Fifth Street. Some will spend the night in a camper or sleep in a cot next to their cookers. Pitmasters begin preparing their entries on Saturday and cook them overnight to submit for judging on Sunday.

“It's popular because people love barbecue and you know people love competition,” Stoltze-Newstrom said. “Barbecue is truly an American cuisine and it's fun to be around.”

People can wander past the rows of Weber Smoky Mountains, Fast Eddy Cook Shacks and Jambo cookers and also marvel at the custom made pits.

“Some are absolutely unique. There are all different kinds of cookers,” Stoltze-Newstrom said.

Stoltze-Newstrom will not be cooking this time but said competing is great fun.

“My mom calls it a traveling party,” she said adding that most teams travel to an event each weekend.

“If you hear your name called once at an awards ceremony there's no turning back because you want to win something again,” Stoltze-Newstrom said.