PHOTOS: Cute Pets, Mud Volleyball and Beef Cookoff

New Lenox residents were surrounded with summer activities to partake in during the Saturday, July 28 portion of the 2012 Proud American Days.

Before many people were awake, the beef cook-off began at 6 a.m. After contestants prepared their cuts for five hours, select judges, including Mayor Tim Baldermann, graded the beef categories including apperance and taste.

The group came in first place, with the Parks N Rec Roasters and Sugar Daddy's Smokers finishing second and third, respectively. The remaining beef was sold to the public with proceeds benefiting the New Lenox Fire Foundation's Save-a-Life Program.

At 9 a.m. both the dog parade and mud volleyball tournament began. While participants in the mud volleyball tournament had to pre-register by Friday, some residents decided to bring their dog to the parade at the last second.

"Our daughter was playing volleyball, so we decided to check-it-out," said Shirley Reeks, who modeled her foxterrier Sally.

Events continued on throughtout the day and well into the night with bands Lucky Town and Infinity performing at the Village Commons. 

Are you coming to Proud American Days on Sunday or want to see all of the events thus far this weekend? !

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