California BBQ Cookoff  Festivals

MARIPOSA: Blazin' Hog Competition BBQ & Zydeco Music Festival  September 20, 2014
 Mariposa County Fairgrounds
Mariposa, Calif.
$15 admission, $10 senior
blazinhog.com
Presented by the John C. Fremont Hospital Foundation. The best BBQ competition and Zydeco music festival in the Sierra's! Come hungry and wear your dancin' shoes!  The festival site is located on the way to beautiful Yosemite Valley at the juncture of Highway 140 at Hwy 49. Just off Hwy 49 at Fairgrounds Road is the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

STOCKTON:   2014 Central Valley Country BBQ Fest September 19-21, 2014
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds
1658 South Airport Way
Stockton, CA
BBQ Competition, Live Music, Semi Trucks, Pickup Trucks,  4X4 Show. The Noceti Group, Inc. is producing one of the largest Country BBQ Festivals in the Central Valley.
Friday 2pm-10pm
Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday Noon-6pm
$15 Age  16 and over
$10 Ages 11-15, Seniors 60+ & Military w/I.D. 
Free age 10 and under 
The 1st Annual festival includes Professional BBQ cook off competition featuring 25-30 pro BBQ teams competing for cash prizes with an opportunity to have a sample of their BBQ.  Dedicated to promoting unity in the California Central Valley community, bands start at 8pm featuring Pablo Cruise on Friday night and Little River Band on Saturday night. Fireworks on Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:55pm  |  Numerous bands and entertainment performing on the community stage with an opportunity for local up and coming country bands to show off their artistry during the  Battle of the Bands  Friday night competition  |  Kids Stage will be dedicated to the youth with an expanded kids zone featuring bounce houses, kids carnival & games  |     California State Sanctioned Horse Racing  |  Semi Trucks, Pickup Trucks & 4x4’s will be on display and performing in various competitions in addition to competing for cash prizes  |  Mud Bog races all three days with cash & prizes for truck show participants  |  Run for Cash in Mud Bog for Men, Women & Children with cash and prizes all three days  |  Vendor Alley comprising of local and national businesses  |  Craft Fair, Food Vendors, Sports vendors hunting, fishing, boating, RV’s, etc. This represents the major events with more being planned for both outside and in the surrounding buildings and grandstands area at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. 

OROVILLE  Northstate BBQ Championship Round 4 Finals  September 20, 2014
Feather Falls Casino
Oroville, CA Feather Falls
northstateqchamps.com

FAIR OAKS: Fair Oaks Chicken Festival September 20, 2014 
fairoakspark.org/events/chicken-festival
Includes BBQ Chicken Cook-off

GRASS VALLEY: Backyard BBQ and Chefs Challenge Cookoff September 20, 2014, 1-3:30 p.m.
nevadacountyfair.com
Part of the Draft Horse Classic, enjoy live entertainment, tastings  Tasting tickets  $10 for 5, alcoholic beverages   available to purchase and more!  Tickets available for purchase on the day of the event. 
Grass Valley, California
nevadacountyfair.com
The Harvest Fair includes Backyard BBQ and Chef’s Challenge, live entertainment and tastings from the various chefs.  Bounty of the County - a pairing of fabulous local chefs with the produce and meats of Nevada County Grown farmers and ranchers. 

GRASS VALLEY - Classic Rib Cook-off   
2nd Annual Classic Rib Cook-Off in conjunction with the Draft Horse Classic at Nevada County fairgrounds, Grass Valley, Ca, is one of the most beautiful fairgounds in the state. Giant tall pines, lush green grass and shade, shade and more shade. This promises to be a fun filled day of live music, great people and of course BBQ Ribs.

SAN JOSE 2nd Annual Sparta-Q BBQ Competition  October 11th, 2014
10th Street (between Humboldt & Alma Ave.)
San Jose, CA
 Coach Peter Turner (408) 924-1253
San Jose State Softball is holding their first annual BBQ cook off to feature some of the best BBQ in Northern California. The Cook off will feature Competitive BBQ Teams that will offer up some of the best BBQ Ribs around.  Gates open at 6 a.m. Turn-in times begin at 1pm The People's Choice judging will be done by six random, NON-BBQ judges or competitive BBQ cooks. These randomly selected BBQ fans will be given NO judging "rules or standards", only how to use the score cards. They will be open to public and team viewing. The Competition Judging will be KCBS style scoring and double blind but will also be open and viewable by the public. 

VENTURA: Blues & BBQ Festival September 21, 2014
Ventura, California
californiabeerfestival.com/ventura
Bring your blues chairs and blankets to Sunday's family friendly event  Children 12 and under FREE. Sample amazing BBQ  **Special ticket needs to be purchased ahead of time from teams from all over the state and get marinated by an amazing Blues lineup.

CALIFORNIA BBQ ASSOCIATION

September 2014

6 - Smoke on the River, Sacramento KCBS & ToY
13 - 2nd Annual Rubstock BBQ Championship, El Dorado Hills KCBS
20 - CA Northstate BBQ Championship Round 4/Finals, Oroville
20 - Harry Soo's Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ 101 class, Diamond Bar
27 - Mission Beach Centennial Party & BBQ, San Diego KCBS

October 2014

4 - 4th Annual Dana Point BBQ Championship, Dana Point KCBS & ToY
11 - 2nd Annual Sparta-Q BBQ Competition, San Jose
18 - RAM PRCA CA Circuit Finals/Rodeo & KCBS BBQ Cook Off/California Heritage Days, Lancaster KCBS
25 Harry Soo's Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ 101 class, Diamond Bar

November 2014

8 - Harry Soo's Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ 101 class, Alameda
22 - Harry Soo's Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ 101 class, Diamond Bar

December 2014

6 - King of the Smoker III, La Quinta KCBS

January 2015

10 - Advanced BBQ Judge Class - NorCal, Alameda
24 - Advanced BBQ Judge Class - SoCal, Riverside

 

 

past events

ELK GROVE Elk Grove Western Festival & BBQ Championship Friday May 2-3, 2014
Elk Grove Regional Park,
9939 Elk Grove Florin Road,
Elk Grove, CA
 competitions@bigbullbbqevents.com

Sanctioned Professional Division, four meat Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) competition which has also received California BBQ Association (CBBQA) ToY designation. A full carnival, three music stages, arts, crafts and food vendors have created a family event that is a perfect fit with a BBQ competition. Also included is a sanctioned Backyard Division, two meat KCBS competition for new teams who are just entering or recently entered the competition circuit. Held at the Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove, CA this BBQ Championship joins the Western Festival which has entertained the surrounding communities for more than 50 years. 

LAKE ELSINORE May 3, 2014  Best of the Best BBQ Championship  and Boat Show
Lake Elsinore Boat Launch
fit2gobbqevents.com 

LONG BEACH BBQ Cook-off May 10, 2014, 11a-6p
 3rd Annual West Coast BBQ Classic 
Waterfront Queen Mary Events Park
Long Beach CA
queenmary.com/bbq
This finger lickin' family fun festival features: delicious BBQ tastings, live music, backyard games, kids' country, a merchant market and an awards ceremony - General Admission: $10 online/$15 at the door Child (4-11): $5 (Children 3 and under are free) Parking: $12 BBQ Tasting Tickets: $2 each.
Teams Confirmed 5 J's, All Hogs Sauced Up, BBBQ, Big Daddy's Q n Crew, Big Poppa Smokers, Bigmista's Barbecue, Burnin' and Lootin', Butchers Daughter BBQ, Cool Grilling, Coto Pitmaster, Dead Pig Walking, Doghouse BBQ, Funtime BBQ, Grill of his Dreams, Holy Smokers, Jet Coatings Country Style, Jet Coatings Monkey Style, Knock UR Sox Off BBQ, Left Coast Q, Mad Dawgz BBQ, Messy Jesse's BBQ, My Smokin' Grillfriend, Nothing Compares 2 Q, OC Double Barrel Smokers, Ok Smell My Butt, Outlaw BBQ, Outta Gas BBQ, Patio Pitmasters, Patlans Applewood BBQ, Pig Pusher BBQ, Porketeers, Porterhouse BBQ, Qued - Up, Ridge Route Boys BBQ, Rooftop Barbeque, Simply Marvelous BBQ, Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, Smoke Hound BBQ, Smokin Harts, Smokin Mo's, Smokin Rejects, Smoky Doky Barbecue, Smoqued California BBQ, South Coast Barbecue, Swine & Wine BBQ, TattooD Hog BBQ, Thank The Lard BBQ, The Other Guy BBQ, The Pit Crew BBQ of SoCal, The Rib Doctor, The Woodshed, Three Ten BBQ, Toot and Stinky, Twisted Brisket, Vicious Smoke, When Pigs Fly BBQ, Whiskey Ranch, Wild Willys Smokin Hot BBQ, Wildebeest BBQ, Woodhouse Barbecue and ZZYZX BarBQ

BAKERSFIELD  Biggest Baddest BBQ Championship  May 16 & 17, 2014
Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 South P Street
Bakersfield, CA 93307 
bakobbq.com

VALLEY CENTER  VC Music Fest & BBQ  June 6-7, 2014
Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, CA

California Honey Festival and BBQ Championship June 13-14, 2014
Fillmore Central Park Plaza
250 Central Ave.
Fillmore, California
805-857-2785
rognfillmore@aol.com

Meat BBQ Contest + People's Choice KCBS Sanctioned CBBQA ToY Event Approved! Honey Farm Activities Activities in the park include arts/craft vendors, food vendors, educational speakers on beekeeping and the importance of bees in maintaining balance and production of many of our agriculture trees and plants. Also scheduled is live musical entertainment. There will be 3 train rides to Bennett's Honey Farm, just east of Fillmore. The trains depart at 10:00am, 12:30pm and 3:00pm. During the ½ hour ride to the farm, there will be trackside demonstrations from actual beekeepers in their normal protective bee "suits' displaying how they "smoke" the bees in order to remove the frames so they can extract the honey and honeycombs. A docent will be on-board the train narrating the demonstration and describing the rural scenery. Once at Bennett's Honey Farm, passengers will be led by a docent for a tour of the processing facility. The only way to experience the "behind the scenes" tour is to take the train ride during the CA Honey Harvest Festival.

MARTINEZ   King of the County BBQ Challenge  June 14-15, 2014
Martinez Waterfront Park Marina
Martinez, CA
countybbq.com
This is a 2 day competition. Participation both days is not mandatory. The competition categories will consist of Chicken, Ribs & Chef's Choice (Anything Butt). 

OAKHURST - Rib-Fest June 21, 2014
All You Can Eat $20
Rib-Fest at the Oakhurst Community Center. All proceeds benefit the Community Center. Location:  39800 RD 426B, Oakhurst, Ca 93644 Call: (559) 683-2290. Time: 5:30 p.m. Call: (559) 683-2290
oakhurstchamber.com

REDDING CA Northstate BBQ Championship June 21, 2014
Win River Resort & Casino
2100 Redding Rancheria Rd
Redding, Ca 96001
530)280-8946
winrivercasino.com
To receive the discounted room rate of $89 mention the BBQ Cook-Off, all reservations must be made two weeks prior to contest date. 

TEMECULA  Pechanga BBQ Championship  June 21, 2014
Pechanga Casino presents one of the largest BBQ prize $$ purse in California at $17,500.
Pechanga Resort and Casino
Pechanga Parkway
Temecula, CA
pechanga.com

SANTA CLARA -Annual Silicon Valley BBQ Championships and Car Show   June 27-28, 2014
City of Santa Clara Central Park
909 Keily Blvd
Santa Clara Ca 
svbbq.com
The Rotary Club of Santa Clara with the help of the City of Santa Clara aspire to make this event the largest BBQ competition in Northern California. The Rotary Club of Santa Clara is hosting the event to raise money for special causes.  There will be live music, car show, games and entertainment for kids. Event will be located at the corner of Scott Blvd and El Camino Real in Santa Clara. With BBQ teams smoking up the neighborhood with the tantalizing smell of roast pork, beef and ribs, there will be classic cars on display Saturday  from 10 to 5 PM. There will be a number of bands to entertain BBQ attendees through all of Saturday. The City of Santa Clara is also hosting a special game and activity area for the kids. They will have rides and slides to keep them entertained while you enjoy the adult festivities of the BBQ cook-offs and Admission is free for the entire family.  

VICTORVILLE   High Desert Music Festival & BBQ Showdown June 27-28, 2014
High Desert Event Center, formally known as the Victorville Fairground
Victorville, CA
highdesertmusicfestival.com/BBQCompetition.htm
General $20 day - includes 2 taste tickets
Weekend Pass $35   includes 4 taste tickets
Award winning BBQ competition, music and entertainment and see Wild Willy's Smokin  Hot BBQ defend his throne. 10 bands and concerts during the two day event.

ROHNERT PARK -  Annual Wine Country Big Q  July 11-12, 2014  1-5 p.m.
Public Tasting 1 p.m.  - 5 p.m. 
Sonoma Mountain Village
1400 Valley House Drive
Rohnert Park, California 94928
winecountrybigq.com

 

ANGELS CAMP - Blues and Bones Festival  July 26, 2014  
The Annual Blues and Bones Festival is located at the Calaveras County Fair Grounds in Angels Camp, Ca. If you like your food cooked slow & low, then step right up and order some of our BBQ. The folks selling you your 'Q at this years Blue and Bones festival are competing for prizes and championship status in our contest, so you know you're getting the best of the west! The Calaveras County Foothills will be echoing from the sounds of live Music, Featuring some of the areas Hottest Blues Bands.   Family event is hoping to become a family summertime tradition.   bluesandbones.com

MAMMOTH - California's Highest Rib Cook-Off July 25-27, 2014  Free admission
 Turning the flames up, the public is invited to come early and stay late for one of Mammoth's premier events.  Friday will be the Chili Cookoff and Ribs and Chicken Cookoff. Come check out out great local BBQ Ribs, Chicken, Chili and Beer!  Mammothvillagefest.com

MONTAGUE -  Siskiyou Beef Country Cook-Off  July 25-26, 2014
Montague   Siskiyou Beef Country Cook-Off
just east of Yreka CA off of I-5, is a sanctioned KCBS event with the usual 4 categories of Chicken, Pork Butt, Pork Ribs, and Beef Brisket.  Siskiyou County is beef country, where local ranchers raise mostly Angus cattle that is distributed all over the USA. Location: 200 So. 11th St., behind the Montague Community Hall. Exit I-5 at the Yreka exit of Rt.3 and travel east about 6 miles. Turn left and you will see it!   The Montague Rotary Club is sponsor, montaguerotary.com  

REDWOOD CITY:  The Redwood City PAL Blues, ARTS and BBQ Festival July 26, 2014 features blues musicians from the Bay Area and beyond. The festival offers wonderful live music, a family area with an arcade for children, delicious food, and showcases Redwood City's Courthouse Square, along with Redwood City's downtown merchants and restaurants. redwoodcitypal.com

 VISTA - Vista Smokin' Q Classic July 25-26, 2014
 Historic Downtown  Vista
$3 ticket, 4 for $10, or 10 for $20 for a 2 oz. sample. Event sponsor will provide taster cups, napkins and forks to all team participants.
Annual Smokin' Q Classic is sponsored by When Pigs Fly BBQ. This California State Championship BBQ competition  in historic Downtown Vista welcomes Competition BBQ Teams from all over the tri-state area.  In addition to the KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition, there will be music, entertainment, live bands, carnival rides, a family festival loaded with games & activities for children, BBQ sampling and much much more. Featured at the Vista Q Classic are 2 oz BBQ Tastes for purchase, a street fair, live entertainment, and beer garden. BBQ Meat n’ Greet  Friday, July 25th Time: 5 pm – 8 pm The public is invited on Friday night to a BBQ Meat n' Greet. This is a great time to see what goes into competition BBQ and enjoy the downtown area on a Friday night. BBQ Tastes will not be available until Saturday starting at Noon. At the  Meat n  Greet is a sidewalk sale with special discounts and live music on the main stage.

BUELLTON: BBQ Bonanza July 26, 2014 Location: Buellton River View Park 12th Annual Free BBQ, courtesy of the City of Buellton. Bring dessert to share while you meet and greet members of the community. There will be games and music. Business and community organizations are welcome to participate. 

OAKLAND  Oaktown Throwdown August 1-2, 2014
Jefferson & 12th St.
Downtown Oakland, CA a block from City Hall.
 artandsouloakland.com
A fully KCBS sanctioned barbecue competition, with Pro and Backyard events, plus a desert competition. The Oaktown Throwdown is part of Oakland's Art + Soul Festival. Pro Teams are encourage to sell bbq samples. Ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork (and Tri Tip for the backyarders)--Hella Yes! Plus People's Choice and Desert Competitions. A BBQ festival with pro and amateur teams competing in a KCBS sanctioned competition, with family entertainment, celebrity cook-offs, cooking demos, music, awards, barbecue vendors, Oakland BBQ history display, and beer and bourbon sales.  Art + Soul Festival, the East Bay Express, and the Downtown Oakland Association are supporters

CLAYTON - Annual Rib Cook-Off  August 9, 2014
Time: 10  a.m. - 6 p.m. CBCA Annual Event at Clayton Club patio 6096 Main Street, Clayton, CA.  claytoncbca.org or clayonclubsaloon.com

BRENTWOOD Cook Off & Car Show California State Championship Saturday, August 9, 2014   
6651 Lone Tree Way
Brentwood, CA 94513
925-586-5074
cookoffandcarshow.com
steve @unisongp.com
 This is a Family Friendly event (no alcohol sold). Vending to the Public If teams have BBQ related products that they wish to sell to the public they are welcome to do so! Please note that it is suggested that all teams vend at least 100-150 BBQ samples of at least 2 oz size. Each individual sample should be ONE ticket (ie. one rib = 1 ticket) but you can provide a combo type of sample with three items for 3 tickets, etc. KCBS certified Second year Master 4-meat event, only 25 pro teams needed to be a qualifier Compete for $ TBD In Prize Money 4 Meat KCBS sanctioned contest 3 Meat Backyard contest Chili Cookoff
Teams are encouraged to make extra chili and use it as a BBQ tasting with the 5 oz cups and spoons provided to teams for 2-3 oz public tastings.

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Ribs, Pigs and Watermelons August 8-10, 2014 
Huntington Beach State Beach
Beach Blvd. and PCH Lot 9 & 10
Huntington Beach, CA
rpwbbq.com
Friday, August 8, 2014   Taste of BBQ - 5- 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 9, 2014: KCBS Competition 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Taste of BBQ & People’s Choice - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 10, 2014 KCBS Competition  10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Taste of BBQ & People’s Choice - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The meat is to be cooked and served to the public in 2 ounce samples. Proceeds of the taste of BBQ tickets will be split 1/3 to support American Family Housing's mission, 1/3 to cover meat costs and 1/3 to the individual BBQ Teams.  Ribs, Pigs & Watermelon two day KCBS competition.  Contestants Teams Confirmed: Simply Marvelous BBQ, Big Poppa Smokers, Desperado, Inc., Jet Coatings ,Monkey Style, Jet Coatings Country Style, Pig Skin BBQ.  
Admission public: Pre-Sale Three Day Pass:  Adult $10. 3 Day Pass ages 8-12  $5. Ages 7 and under FREE.  Saturday VIP $60: Parking Pass for Saturday ONLY, 2 Adult three-day pass, 10 Food and Drink Tickets. Sunday VIP $60: Parking Pass for Sunday ONLY, 2 Adult three-day pass, 10 Food and Drink Tickets.

ANDERSON  Northstate BBQ Championship Round 3,  August 16, 2014
Shasta District Fairgrounds
Anderson, Ca
northstateqchamps.com

GUERNEVILLE - Russian River Beer Revival and BBQ 2014  Cookoff    August
The Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff  hosted by the Stumptown Brewery always sells out. Buy tickets early!   Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff is right on the banks of Russian River, and includes live entertainment such as musical acts.  Gate opens at Noon, food 1-5 p.m. stumptown.com

LAKEPORT  l Smokin' on the Water BBQ Championship August 23, 2014 1-5 p.m.
5th Annual Lakeport BBQ competition is KCBS sanctioned and  is one of the largest payday of 2012 events in Norcal.  Location: Konocti Vista Casino 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd. Lakeport, CA. Call: (707) 262-1900 x1113
konocti-vista-casino.com/smokin-on-the-water-pro-bbq

August 2014
2 - Oaktown Throwdown, Oakland KCBS & ToY
9 - Brentwood Cook Off and Car Show II, Brentwood (NorCal) KCBS & ToY
9 - Ribs, Pigs & Watermelon Day 1, Huntington Beach KCBS & ToY
10 - Ribs, Pigs & Watermelon Day 2, Huntington Beach KCBS & ToY
16 - CBBQA BBQ 101 Class 8/16/14, Orange
16 - CA Northstate BBQ Championship Round 3, Anderson (Shasta Fairgrounds)
16 - Ontario's Best BBQ Backyarder IV, Ontario
23 - 6th Smokin' on the Water, Lakeport KCBS & ToY
23 - Ceres BBQ Challenge & Music Fest, Ceres
30 - Harry Soo's Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ 101 class, Alameda

PLACERVILLE  No date for 2014 discovered   Smokin' For Gold
Placerville 3rd Annual Smokin' For Gold B.B.Q. Championship is a KCBS sanctioned event held at El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The El Dorado County Fairgrounds is and has been an awesome venue for BBQ contests.  Location: 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA