Only a few months after the 31st Lyle Area Cancer Auction raised $119,000 for cancer research, the campaign to raise money for the 32nd auction is set to kick off.

The second annual Farm Boy Barbecue will be held at the Lyle Area American Legion this Saturday. This is the first of many events to raise money for cancer research leading up to the Lyle Area Cancer Auction next January.

Barbecue chef Joe Rosenberg is returning to cook barbecued chicken wings and barbecued ribs.

The meal will be held at the Lyle American Legion from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. The meal is free, but a freewill donation will be accepted.

Last year, the Farm Boy Barbecue raised about $3,000 and served more than 300 people, according to Larry Ricke, co-chairman of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction. In fact, Rosenberg ran out of barbecue at the event last year, but he had pulled pork sandwiches as a backup.

“It’s unbelievable,” Ricke said. “Everybody — even Joe — was really surprised at how much money they raised for the first annual Farm Boy Barbecue.”

Rosenberg, who lives in St. Ansgar, Iowa, competes at barbecue contests across the country, and sells his barbecue sauce and seasoning.

Ricke said Rosenberg was competing at a barbecue competition earlier in the week.

While Ricke said Rosenberg planned to make more food this year so he wouldn’t run out, Ricke warned people to arrive early so they can taste the barbecue.

The next tentative event leading up to next year’s Lyle Area Cancer Auction is the Halfway to January Cancer Bash this summer.