The World’s 10 Best BBQ Festivals 2013

Bill West

11 years ago

Looking for the world’s 10 best BBQ festivals and events? Here are some great festivals you can attend for some amazing BBQ dishes.

1. BBQ Festival Memphis

The Memphis in May International Festival has been held since 1977 and you’ll find some great BBQ at this event. This event celebrates international and southern cultures. There’s also the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest where teams compete for bragging rights and the title. There’s a large party that goes on while the contest takes place. This is a great festival to take part in and there’s a lot to do.

2. Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

This party has contestants from around the country take to the streets around Madison Square Park to create top notch BBQ for the people of New York City. You’ll find all types of barbecue here such as pig form St. Louis or mutton from Kentucky, there’s something at this festival for everyone. This is one of the best BBQ festivals you can go to in the country. If you love BBQ then you need to go to New York City to take in this festival. Each year you’ll find something a bit different at the party to take in and discover. You’ll also meet a lot of interesting people at this party and form new friendships too.

3. Owensboro Barbecue Festival

This festival was created to help raise money for local charities. There’s a lot of fierce competition at this festival and great food too. Local teams work to win the Governor’s Cup for the best cooking team. People at the festival can sample the food created by these teams and there’s even a Backyard Cook-Off competition for regular people to show off their BBQ skills. There’s also a lot of other entertainment here such as life performances and carnival rides for the kids as well as face painting and other fun things to do. You can work off all the good food at the 5K walk or run.

4. Smoke On the Mountain

At Galax Virginia you can take in the Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship. This is a two day event with a whole hog, pork shoulder, and pork rib competition. This is straight BBQ without the use of any marinades or other sauces prior to the inspection of the meat. Sauces can be used once the meat is inspected. The festival also has booths and vendors as well as various other things to do.

5. I Love Barbecue Festival

At Lake Placid, New York you can take in the I Love Barbecue Festival. Teams compete in steak, sausage, Chicken, and Pizza categories as well as ribs. The public determines the winner of this competition and there’s a lot of live musical performances at this festival too.

6. Blue Ridge BBQ & Musical Festival

In Tryon North Caroline you can take part in the Blue Ridge BBQ & Musical Festival. There’s a lot of blues music at this festival as well as the pork cooking contest which is then judged by the Kansas City Barbecue Society

7. Tennessee Funfest

The Tennessee Funfest is one of the area’s largest BBQ festivals and it send proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association of the Mid-South. There’s a Tennessee State Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest with seafood, beef, and whole hog competitions. You’ll find other non-BBQ competitions too. Other things to do include carnival rides, music and more.

8. Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off

This Kansas City BBQ competition offers over $20,000 in prizes and cash. There’s crafts, arts, live music, and great food at this competition. Other things to do include a volleyball tournament and a bean bag toss competition.

9. National Capital Barbecue Battle

At the National Capital Barbecue Battle in Washington, DC, there’s a great BBQ event that you’ll want to go to. This takes place along the historic Pennsylvania Avenue. There’s a competition with over $400, 000 in prizes given out. Other things include merchandise stands, and musical performances.

10. Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival

In Kennesaw, Georgia you can take part in this awesome BBQ festival. This festival combines BBQ with fresh peaches. There are contests for amateur as well as the Georgia State Championship for professionals. There’s also the each dessert for the bakers. The kids can enjoy a playa area and there’s various booths and exhibits at the event.