Kentucky hosts several BBQ contests and festivals throughout the year, offering opportunities for BBQ enthusiasts to showcase their skills and sample a variety of regional BBQ styles and flavors.
Kentucky’s BBQ competition season typically runs from late spring to early fall, with most events taking place from May through September. Some notable BBQ contests and festivals in Kentucky include the Kentucky State BBQ Festival, the Old Louisville BBQ Fest, and the Barbecue on the River festival in Paducah.
Kentucky’s BBQ scene is influenced by its proximity to the Southern states and other BBQ hotspots, as well as by the state’s unique regional flavors and ingredients. Popular dishes include pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and smoked chicken, as well as Kentucky-style BBQ dishes like burgoo, a hearty stew made with smoked meats and vegetables.
| Apr. 29, 2023: Amvets Post 130 Steak Cookoff Challenge (DOUBLE), Bowling Green, KY. Contact: Dean Frazier, Phone:270-535-5236, Email: amvetspost130bg@gmail.com. |
| Apr. 30, 2023: Bluegrass Beef Battle – Spring for the Shelter (DOUBLE), Owensboro, KY. |
