The Tri-State BBQ Festival held annually in Dothan, Alabama features some of the finest barbecue competitors in the world. Teams typically come from Florida, Georgia and Alabama to compete, but we have had teams from Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan and New Mexico as well. Teams compete for over $10,000 in prize money! There is lots for spectators to do as well, including BBQ sampling, listening to music, shopping in the Vendor Village, and interesting demonstrations on Bar-B-Q. Make plans now to attend Southeast Alabama’s finest BBQ festival!
The festival is open to the public on Friday April 13 from 5-10 PM and Saturday April 14th from 10am- 10pm
2012 schedule (Tentative, and subject to change)
Schedule Information
April 12, 2012- Teams may begin arriving (with additional fee for extra night’s camping)
FRIDAY April 13, 2012 – Teams arrive, team meeting at 5pm, welcome dinner to follow. MEAT INSPECTIONS BEGIN AT NOON. Please be at your site as soon as you can near this time. Team dinner will be immediately after the team meeting in the same building. You’ll need your ticket to get your dinner!
Friday night is THE BBQ BASH!
Festival gates open at 5pm for spectators/general public. Concessions and beer sales begin, and the “Vendor Village” opens Live music, free children’s inflatables and fun from 5pm-10pm. The BBQ Bash yard party is tonight, featuring a concert by The BopCats, Dothan’s favorite classic rock band. BRING A LAWN CHAIR or a BLANKET but no coolers allowed.
SATURDAY April 14, 2012 –
Judges Meeting at 9:30.
Gates open to the spectators/general public at 10:00. Music on the main stage all day! Cooking Classes, Vendor Village, Car Show, rides and games, military displays, Blue Bell Ice Cream free samples and Franks Hot Sauce sampling plus more open from 10am-until approximately 9:00 pm.
Pig Tales winning entries will be read on the main stage throughout the day by sponsor Five Star Credit Union. (This is expected to be at noon on the main stage.)
Adult Teams to do turn in of Chicken to judges building at 11:00 am. At noon, teams will turn in their ribs to the judges building, and at 1:00 PM will turn in their pork butts for scoring. The final turn-in is at 2:00 pm with beef brisket.
Spectators-At 2:30, People’s Choice and Southern Hospitality competitions will begin. Everyone in the gate from 2:00 pm-4:30 pm will have the opportunity to sample food. Spectators will go from team to team site (participating teams noted with a special flag) and sample any and all BBQ meats available. They will vote for their favorite BBQ as well as the best Southern Hospitality. Judge the BBQ on taste and the Hospitality on how the team made you feel while visiting them. The ballot box will be removed at 4:30 to tally the votes, so make sure to take time from eating to turn in your vote! The ballot is on the back of your ticket stub, so hang on to it! (Those who printed tickets online will receive a ticket stub at the gate.)
During the afternoon, judges will be tallying their score sheets, with the FBA reps calculating the winners and prize payouts. 5:00 awards presented to winning teams, as well as the People’s Choice winners and the Southern Hospitality winner. Over $11,000 in money awarded!
Music all day on the stage and in the Tavern (beer tent with acoustic performances and more!)
BRING A LAWN CHAIR or a BLANKET but no coolers allowed.
LIVE MUSIC at 7:00 on the main stage— the KJAMS!
