The sun warming your back, the smell of smoky grilled meat and a bar lined full with refreshing drinks that stretches as far as the eye can see. You could say a good barbecue event is akin to meaty heaven on earth, so why not taste test your way through the very best of them? Here’s our guide to America’s greatest (and tastiest) barbecue festivals.
American Royal World Series of Barbecue® competitions
Of all the places to celebrate being a red-blooded, All-American meat lover, why not start with the biggest barbecue competition in the world? Catch some of the country’s best cooks as they fight it out over the coals for the coveted title. With more than 500 teams competing over four days, plenty of kids activities and a host of other entertainment options, it’s no wonder this claims to be the “World Series of Barbecue®.” Oct. 5, 2014 in Oklahoma
Jack Daniels Barbecue World Championship
A good barbecue is nothing without a great tasting sauce, so it goes without saying the makers of one of the best sauces in town should host one of the greatest barbecue events on the calendar. Since 1989 the Jack Daniels World Championship has brought teams from around the world to compete for a hefty $10,000 prize. The seven categories, which include cook offs of pork ribs and beef brisket, will have you drooling with delight, as amateurs and grand champions compete for the ultimate barbecue bragging rights. Fourth Saturday in October, in Lynchburg, Tennessee
W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival
A barbecue festival on a sunny day — how could life get any better? With entirely FREE live music from the top blues acts around the country – that’s how! A celebration of the life of the “Father of Blues” aka William Christopher Handy, this festival will keep you well fed and entertained with hundreds of barbecue stalls to sample from and awesome live music that lasts until midnight. June 7-14, 1014 in Henderson, Kentucky
Southern Fried Festival
Colonel Sanders doesn’t just know how to southern fry, he also serves up a mean barbecue, too. On top of the great food and barbecue competition scheduled, there will be more than 600 Hot Rods and muscle cars, live music, and even a pinup girl contest to keep you occupied at this Virginia festival. Even the kids are catered to, with activities ranging from “Design your own Hot Rod” to bouncy houses, making it a perfect day for the whole family at the Southern Fried Festival. Aug. 23-24, 2014 in Hampton, Virginia
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is simple — pay for a souvenir glass and you get all the booze you can handle. This wild adult-only festival combines the best in music, barbecued delights and moonshine cocktails. You may even find yourself staggering into one of the seminars where master distillers, brewmasters and pit masters from The South will teach you all their trade secrets. January-September, at various locations across the South and East Coast
Safeway Barbecue Battle
Positioned right on the White House’s doorstep sits one of the largest and most charitable barbecue competitions in the world. The Safeway Barbecue Battle hosts more than 30 bands, displays and kids’ activities. Not only do proceeds from the event benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, but military chefs also compete to raise money for the Wounded Warrior project. June 21 and 22, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Featured image: © Shaiith/iStock/Thinkstock
Written by Lance van Dijk
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
