Favorite BBQ Competitions
Below are some of my favorite KCBS bbq competitions. My family team, Whole Lotta Smokin’, has been competing in bbq comps off and on for about 15 years. We are always cookin’ and smokin’ at home and hope to get back to more bbq comps.
If you would like a few tips about how to get started in a bbq competition or the smokin’ bbq process, don’t hesitate contacting me at mail@margaretblythe.com.
By the way, I would love to post pics of your bbq smokers, turn-in boxes and bbq recipes your team is willing to share!
I hope to see you on the bbq trail.
Margaret and Family, Whole Lotta Smokin’ BBQ Team
The 18th Annual BBQ Challenge in Frisco, CO
June 16-18, 2011
http://www.townoffrisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2010-BBQ-Application.pdf
My family loves the Frisco BBQ Challenge. This bbq comp is located in the beautiful mountains of Frisco, Colorado about 70 miles west of Denver. The organizers block off main street and have great live music, food and many fun events. There were 65 teams from around the country that competed in Frisco in 2010. Given that the contest is held in mid June and at an altitude of 9075 feet, be sure to dress in layers to prepare for cold weather and drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness.
8th Annual Pork & Brew State BBQ Championship
July 1 – 3, 2011 Santa Ana Star Center
Rio Rancho, NM
Pork & Brew is located in Rio Rancho, adjacent to Albuquerque, at the amazing new convention center Santa Ana Star Center. So happy that this competition has been moved from March to July. I guess the flying ez-ups in 2010 were the final straw. Rio Rancho really goes all out and makes this a very special and well-organized competition for competitors and those attending. There were 53 teams from around the country that attended Pork & Brew in 2010. They have popular live music from the area and fun events. This is sure to be one of your favorite cooking competitions too.
For those interested in the next Pork & Brew at the Santa Ana Star Center, contact Art Perez at (888) 746-7262.
http://www.lovelandlovesbbq.com/teams.html
Loveland, CO
Loveland Loves BBQ is held in my area, about 60 miles north of Denver, but I have never been able to attend. I hear it is a fun bbq comp and had 51 bbq teams in 2010. Loveland Loves BBQ is on my must attend bbq contest for 2011.
August 2011
Worland, WY
http://www.wyo-bbq-bluegrass.com/index.htm
You can’t beat Wyoming hospitality. The Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival is held in north central Worland, Wyoming in the beautiful Big Horn Basin. If you need an excuse to attend this fun contest, it is on the way to Yellowstone National Park as you drive from Colorado. August is a fantastic time to visit Yellowstone with wonderful camping and fishing. There were 31 teams that attended this Wyoming State Championship. I remember competing in the first WY state championship at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD). Whole Lotta Smokin’ was so bummed to not win the absolutely beautiful CFD buckle.
Invitational BBQ Contest on October 1, 2011
Kansas City, MO
http://www.arbbq.com/arbbq.com/ContestantInformation/InvitationalContest/tabid/56/Default.aspx
The American Royal is held in Kansas City, MO and includes an invitational and open bbq competition. The open competition is one big crazy party and a chance for businesses to have a huge party that is catered with bands. The invitational includes bbq teams that have won a qualifying state championship or contest. You can expect a grand championship payoff of around $10,000 from the American Royal.
