Event Information
14th Edition of The Beltway BBQ Showdown
Ticket Price: Ages 0-5: FREE | Ages 6-Adult: $12
Age: All
Contact:
- Joshua Dietrich
- joshua.dietrich@pgparks.com
Sunday, June 2, 2024
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
About the Showdown
We’re Back! Please join us for the 14th Edition of The Beltway BBQ Showdown! The contest highlights the art of barbequing in Prince George’s County and the Mid-Atlantic region. The Showdown is nationally sanctioned, as a Master’s Series Level Event, by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS).
Every year, thousands of people celebrate and enjoy the art, music, and history of BBQ in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Beltway BBQ Showdown offers a number of fun activities for the entire family. The competition has returned to Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
The Beltway BBQ Showdown offers a variety of activities for everyone! If you like BBQ you’ll love this, as we will have many vendors on-site to taste their variety of BBQ. The event will once again take place at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. On the grounds there will be live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a car, truck & bike show, vendors of BBQ/food, goods & crafts, plus a children’s/family activity area. It is an event for the entire family!
Please Note: Competitors will not be selling their unique BBQ to the public, as they will be entirely focused on the BBQ Competition & trying to earn their spot in Kansas City for the duration of the festival.
- KCBS BBQ Competition
- Car, Truck, & Bike Show
- Entertainment
- Sponsor & Vendor Information
- Directions & Parking
- FAQs
In 2007, the Governor of Maryland issued a proclamation classifying the contest as the State BBQ Championship of Maryland. This status allows the Grand Champion of the Showdown to attend the American Royal competition in Kansas City, Missouri. We are excited to welcome back teams after a brief pause, to once again compete in our great event!
If you have any additional questions regarding the contest feel free to contact the chairs of our BBQ Competition Committee:
Alexandria Wilson
BBQ Competition Committee co-chair
If you have any additional questions regarding the Car, Truck & Bike Show feel free to contact the chairs of our Auto Show Committee:
Hosted By:
Kyle On The Mic
Ultimate Line Dance Party:
Saundra – (Instructor, Style & Rhythm Line Dancers)
Musical Performances By:
- Future Band DC
- New Impressionz
- Black Alley
If you have any additional questions regarding potential sponsorships and vendor opportunities feel free to contact the chair of the respective committee:
Sponsorships
Food Vendors
Goods Vendors
Both the Prince George’s Equestrian Center and The Show Place Arena are located in Upper Marlboro Md, 7 miles south of the Beltway, exit 11 A- Pennsylvania Avenue/Route 4.
Parking is FREE! Accessible parking is also available with proper state-issued vehicle credentials.
Pets are not allowed at the Showdown. Registered service animals, however, are permitted. Because of vendors and other visitors attending the event, restricting pets helps to maintain food safety standards.
No outside food or drinks are permitted. You will, however, be able to purchase food from a variety of vendors at the Showdown.
We will have a few areas throughout the grounds to help patrons stay out of the sun. Additionally, we recommend wearing hats, cool clothing, and bringing something like a small umbrella for shade. There will not be enough space to accommodate personal tents or the like.
Yes! ATMs will be available throughout the event grounds.
Vendors will be available to offer an assortment of great foods including everything from appetizers to main dishes to desserts & vegan options!
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the Children! Our Children’s Area is full of fun with crafts, games, bounce inflatables, and many other entertaining activities!
The Lost & Found will be located at the front entrance under the large, blue information tent.
Competitors will not be directly selling their unique BBQ to the public, as they will be entirely focused on the BBQ Competition & trying to earn their spot in Kansas City for the duration of the festival.
At some point during the event (Time: TBD) the Tasting Tent will host two events, each for a nominal fee in which different teams submit sauces and ribs for tasting: The People’s Choice Sauce Contest and the Buck-A-Bone Contest (Note, ribs will be more than a buck)! There you will have the opportunity to try various sauces and/or purchase rib bones that come directly from the competitors. After tasting, you will vote for your favorite! Awards will be given to the Top 3 Places in each contest. Once the sauces and ribs run out, they are gone for the event!
There will be lots to do! We plan to have various local artists perform on the main stage throughout the event. Be on the lookout for that entertainment schedule once it’s finalized. We also plan on having a cooking demonstration and other local chefs taking part in a small competition.
There will also be a Car, Truck & Bike Show just before you enter the festival area, near the entrance!
Award announcements will tentatively begin at 4:30 pm. Winners of the car show (4:00pm – near the auto show), Buck-A-Bone, People’s Choice Sauce Contest and the KCBS Master’s Series Contest! Teams have been up for over 24 hours performing their cooking magic and will turn in the best meats they can to the KCBS Judges. Come find out who all our winners are and who will take home a piece of the $18,000 prize purse!
