However you call it, Barbecue or barbeque, BBQ, Bar-B-Q or Bar-B-Que, this form of cooking food over an open flame, either directly or indirectly is practically a way of life for many in the USA.
And just as there are many “experts” in every back yard of every home across the country, so there are major competitions and prizes awarded for the best of those with tongs and a hunk of meat!
DC
National Capital Barbecue Battle
June
DC
Approaching its 16th year, the Barbecue Battle features serious competition between top BBQ competitors, great BBQ restaurants from the DC area and around the country, cooking demonstrations, free food samples, interactive cooking displays and children's activities.
Tens of thousands of people witness barbecue teams and restaurants from around the country compete to win in excess of $15,000 in cash and prizes and a chance to represent the Mid-Atlantic United States at the Barbecue World Championship, Memphis in May.
For more information visit: www.barbecuebattle.com
KENTUCKY
International Bar-B-Q Festival
May
Owensboro, Kentucky
In mid-May each year, Owensboro comes to life with the wonderful smells and sounds of the International Bar-B-Q Festival. Smoke from hickory-stoked fires, and the mouthwatering smells of barbecued chicken and lamb compete to please the senses.
Events include a golf scramble, beer plaza, live entertainment, pie eating contest, cooking team balloon toss, and even a sock hop.
For more information visit: www.bbqfest.com
MISSOURI
American Royal BBQ Contest
October
Kansas City, Missouri
The first American Royal Barbecue was held in 1980. Today, spreading over 20 acres in Kansas City’s historic Stockyards District and with nearly 500 teams competing in four culinary contests, The American Royal BBQ Contest is one of the largest barbecue contests in the world.
Combine this with a barbecue-related trade expo, this two-day food festival is truly the “World Series of Barbecue.”
For more information visit: www.americanroyal.com
NEVADA
Best of the West Nugget Rib Cook-off
September
Sparks, Nevada
Now 20 years old, the cook-off continues to be one of the largest outdoor barbecue events in North America, with more than 500,000 visitors and more than 100 tons of ribs served.
Large activities within the event, including a world-championship rib-eating contest, and top-notch entertainment – not to mention the best BBQ in the country – all come together to draw massive amounts of people to Victorian Square in Sparks.
For more information visit: www.nuggetribcookoff.com
NORTH CAROLINA
Barbecue Festival
October
Lexington
Lexington is said to be the Barbecue Capital of the World, and the annual Barbecue Festival has been ranked as “one of the top ten food festivals in the USA” by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the exhibits, exciting entertainment, sporting events and some of the best barbecue in North Carolina. There are an estimated 100,000 people and more than 11,000 pounds of Barbecue served each year.
For more information visit: www.barbecuefestival.com
TENNESSEE
Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue
October
Lynchburg, Tennessee
The good people of Lynchburg have joined the folks at Jack Daniel Distillery to host the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue – what many have called the most prestigious barbecue competition in the world.
More than 60 championship barbecue teams and some 25,000 visitors from around the world descend on Lynchburg annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue, now more than 20 years old.
For more information visit: www.jackdaniels.com
