A cloud of smoke lingered over Cedartown Friday as a group of parents, coaches and other volunteers prepared to spend Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning preparing more than 800 Boston butts.

The annual fund-raiser supports the Cedartown MatDawgs Booster Club. The organization supports all student wrestling programs in Polk county, with programs from ages 4 up to teenagers, and includes the Cedartown Middle School and Cedartown High School programs.

Funds raised from the sell of the pork meat will purchase wrestling mats and other supplies. This is the second year of the fund-raiser.

The pork meat is prepared on borrowed smokers. The large smokers, mounted on wheels, were pulled into an empty lot next to Beeler Insurance, between North Main Street and Philpot Street, next door to the downtown Regions Bank location.

"The community has been fantastic," CHS head wrestling coach Jerry Hartline said, motioning to the loaned smokers.

"Last year we had between 12 and 15 smokers, and this year we've got 22 that have been donated," he said. "Last year we smoked 650 butts, and this year we're doing more than 800."

Tickets were presold, at $20 apiece. Ticket holders may pick up their butts between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, next to Beeler's Insurance.

Organizers said they sold 850 tickets in advance.

However, they are cooking extra and there will be dozens of butts available Saturday for walk-ups -- first come, first serve.

The extras will be sold at the same price, $20.