Why are we doing this and what is a Hibernian?
The Apple Blossom Barbecue Contest is sponsored by the St. Joseph Missouri Ancient
Order of Hibernians, the St. Joseph Downtown Association, and our signature corporate
sponsors, Triumph Foods and M & I Bank, as a fundraiser for the Hibernians and its
charities. The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a nation-wide mens Irish Catholic fraternal
organization. The St. Joseph division of the Hibernians began in 1997 as a way to
promote Irish culture and support Catholic education. The group has been active in many
civic projects and has raised and donated thousands of dollars locally.
The Apple Blossom Barbecue Contest was started as a fun way to involve the entire
community in our charitable fund-raising efforts. The name "Apple Blossom" is borrowed
from the parade and festival of the same name that started in 1924 as a tour through local
orchards to view the apple blossoms. The parade continues to this day adjacent to the
barbecue contest site.
The choice of the recipient of the proceeds from this contest was an easy one for this
group. Many Irish-Americans are descendants of those who left Ireland because of the
oppressive hunger caused by the potato famine in the 1840's. In honor of those who
starved to death or were forced to leave their country, and to help alleviate the often
hidden but ever present problem of hunger, we dedicate the proceeds from this barbecue
contest to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
For more information or to join the Hibernians, visit our "contact" page or ask one of our
many volunteers at the contest.