If you go ...
What: The Great Steak-Out XXXV
When: 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Green County Fairgrounds, Monroe
Food: Ten-ounce ribeye dinner with baked potato, sweet corn, and "all the extras," sponsored by the Green County Beef Producers. A kids meal consists of a hot dog, sweet corn and chips. Ice cream for everyone.
Cost: $15; $5 for kids meal. Carryout and drive-thru orders will be available.
MONROE - For the past 35 years, local resident Rena Koning has been helping to ensure The Great Steak-Out, sponsored by the Green County Producers, goes as planned.
Ordering meat and other food, cleaning up and setting up, Koning has been involved in making the process run smoothly. But she hasn't done it alone. Koning is quick to credit various members of the organization, and of course, her husband, Dave Koning.
Rena said the couple has been helping to coordinate the event since it started in 1982. It began as a gathering meant to thank those who supported the industry and took place at Equity Livestock just outside of Monroe.
Three-and-a-half decades later, the Konings have no intention of stopping.
"We hope to keep going as long as we're available," Rena said, noting that organizing is second nature given her work in catering with Koning Meats & Deli. "It's in my blood."
Rena said the group meets twice to finalize plans. Now held each year at the Green County Fairgrounds, the Konings said attendance has been fairly consistent at roughly 1,200 people.
The $15 dinner includes a 10-ounce ribeye, baked potatoes, sweet corn and "all the extras." It will be served from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Beef producers president Jim Cessna complimented Rena for her time spent organizing the steak fry.
"She's a lifesaver," he said. "She's really instrumental."
A goal of the event is to educate, Rena said. The couple feels the steak fry has served as a way to highlight the beef industry to outsiders while also providing scholarships to young Green County residents.
"My whole theory has been quality," Dave said. "Promote quality, quality, quality."
The Konings currently operate their deli inside Brennan's, but Dave said they plan to continue catering and selling meat, likely from their home on the outskirts of the city, after Brennan's closes. They also are heavily involved in promoting the beef industry. Dave said they own a traveling concession trailer and just returned from the Wisconsin State Fair.
"The cattle industry has been in my blood for a long time," Dave said.
He added that the beef producers will announce the top three placewinners of the Green County Best Burger Contest during the dinner. Cessna said prizes for those who judged include a Weber gas grill, charcoal grill and $25 gift certificates from each of the 17 restaurants that took part.
Dave said he enjoys the burger contest, now in its fourth year, for what it contributes to local businesses and community support. He recounted stories of finding out a county establishment served food and others telling him they found a new place to eat. Both Rena and Dave agreed The Great Steak-Out is an enjoyable event.
"Everyone is welcome," Rena said. "Come out and have a good meal."
Ordering meat and other food, cleaning up and setting up, Koning has been involved in making the process run smoothly. But she hasn't done it alone. Koning is quick to credit various members of the organization, and of course, her husband, Dave Koning.
Rena said the couple has been helping to coordinate the event since it started in 1982. It began as a gathering meant to thank those who supported the industry and took place at Equity Livestock just outside of Monroe.
Three-and-a-half decades later, the Konings have no intention of stopping.
"We hope to keep going as long as we're available," Rena said, noting that organizing is second nature given her work in catering with Koning Meats & Deli. "It's in my blood."
Rena said the group meets twice to finalize plans. Now held each year at the Green County Fairgrounds, the Konings said attendance has been fairly consistent at roughly 1,200 people.
The $15 dinner includes a 10-ounce ribeye, baked potatoes, sweet corn and "all the extras." It will be served from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Beef producers president Jim Cessna complimented Rena for her time spent organizing the steak fry.
"She's a lifesaver," he said. "She's really instrumental."
A goal of the event is to educate, Rena said. The couple feels the steak fry has served as a way to highlight the beef industry to outsiders while also providing scholarships to young Green County residents.
"My whole theory has been quality," Dave said. "Promote quality, quality, quality."
The Konings currently operate their deli inside Brennan's, but Dave said they plan to continue catering and selling meat, likely from their home on the outskirts of the city, after Brennan's closes. They also are heavily involved in promoting the beef industry. Dave said they own a traveling concession trailer and just returned from the Wisconsin State Fair.
"The cattle industry has been in my blood for a long time," Dave said.
He added that the beef producers will announce the top three placewinners of the Green County Best Burger Contest during the dinner. Cessna said prizes for those who judged include a Weber gas grill, charcoal grill and $25 gift certificates from each of the 17 restaurants that took part.
Dave said he enjoys the burger contest, now in its fourth year, for what it contributes to local businesses and community support. He recounted stories of finding out a county establishment served food and others telling him they found a new place to eat. Both Rena and Dave agreed The Great Steak-Out is an enjoyable event.
"Everyone is welcome," Rena said. "Come out and have a good meal."