Listing of BBQ Festivals Across the U.S.
Known Kentucky Festivals
Benton, Kentucky, Kiwanis Kook-off – TDB for 2011
Contact Ed Jones, (info@bentonkykiwanisclub.org, 270-527-6247 for details.
Run for the Ribs – May 5-6 2011
A World Class BBQ competition in the state famous for Bourbon and Horseracing. And what could be better than that? The premiere Bluegrass State BBQ Competition being held during Derby Week (First Week in May) in Louisville!
If this is not enough to get you here, then maybe the $30,000 overall prize purse might do it.
The Main BBQ event will be held at the Wayside Christian Mission in the heart of Downtown Louisville. This venue is a hotel as well as the headquarters for the Wayside Christian Mission; so if you need a hotel room, it is no more than a 200 foot walk! Be sure to book early since this is Derby Week and things fill up fast.
International Barbeque Festival – May 13 and 14, 2011
Every second weekend in May, Owensboro, Kentucky springs to life with the wonderful smells and sounds of the International Bar-B-Q Festival. Smoke from hickory-stoked fires blends with the aromas of sizzling chicken, bubbling burgoo and roasting mutton to complete the festival atmosphere.
This year’s International Bar-B-Q Festival promises to be a fun-filled and exciting time for regulars and first-timers alike. We’ve got plenty of events planned to make for a memorable Festival experience.
If you are not a local, you need to be sure to make lodging reservations well ahead of time. After that you just need to make sure you know how to get to Owensboro. Please contact if you have any questions about the Festival.
W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue - June 11th – June 18th, 2011
The W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival has become one of the largest free music festivals in the nation, drawing attendants from just about every state and many countries.
The festival books some of the hottest national and local blues talent each year. The opening day of the festival is highlighted by the “Taste of Henderson Barbecue” where you can enjoy barbecue of all varieties sold by local teams and listen to great live music in Henderson’s Central Park. Live music at the scenic Audubon Mill Park on the Henderson Riverfront continues every night from Wednesday evening to Saturday night. There are a host of other events throughout the week as well, including a Mardi Gras-style Street Strut, Handy Lunch Breaks at local eateries, lectures, dance classes, and much more.
The W. C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival has grown into a heritage event for the Henderson community and is widely known across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Tri-State area, and beyond. Kentucky Educational Television, PBS’s largest member, serving Kentucky and seven surrounding states, features past festivals in their Jubilee Series, which has recently been syndicated nationwide.
UPDATE: 2010 Schedule is updated with new bands.
Grillin & Chillin BBQ Cookoff – September 23 & 24 2011
Join us for Kentucky’s only state sanctioned BBQ Championship! We’ll have 48 of the best cooking teams here from several states competing for over $10,000 in prize money.
Contact Terry Stinnett ,BOX 201, Utica Ky. 42376, 270-929-4177; Brian Smith, Diamond Lake Resort 270-229-4900
BBQ on the River - TBA for 2011
Can you think of a better way to spend an early fall weekend than enjoying great BBQ, lively entertainment, exquisite crafts, a charming downtown and a great time with friends. Come join us in Paducah, KY for three great days of BBQ Bliss as 50 plus BBQ teams from Western Kentucky and beyond cook up over 60 tons of meat in hopes of taking home the coveted Grand Champions trophy. Along with delicious mouthwatering food and fabulous fun you will be helping out many local charitable organization. Make your plans now to be in Paducah, September 24, 25 & 26, 2009 for our 15th Ever BBQ on the River.
Big Buffalo Crossing BBQ Cookoff – October 14- 15, 2011
2nd Annual Big Buffalo Crossing BBQ Cook-Off in Downtown Munfordville, Kentucky. The fun begins on Friday and continues through Saturday evening. Professional BBQ teams from all over the U.S. will be competing for $11,000 in prize money. The barbecue contestants will be cooking all night on Friday for their Saturday competition. Come and watch some of the best teams at work. Enjoy mouth-watering BBQ from vendors that will be located all around the Downtown Square. There will be a variety of BBQ merchandise for you to purchase.
Jim Beam Barbecue Classic (formerly Kentucky Harvest Festival BBQ) – October 2011 TBA
This marks the first year that the Springfield cook-off has been sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), declared a Kentucky state championship and sponsored by Jim Beam.“Springfield is where my father was born and lived until he came to work for the family business, said Fred Noe, Jim Beam Bourbon Ambassador, Seventh Generation Distiller. ”There are a lot of people in the Springfield area that remember Dad and they support our brands. Jim Beam is happy to be a part of this great event. My Dad would be very proud!”
TheSmokeRing.com Contest Calendar – contests from across the U.S.
