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 12 from 5-10 PM and Saturday April 13th from 10am- 10pm
2013 schedule (Tentative, and subject to change)
Schedule Information
April 11, 2013- Teams may begin arriving (with additional fee for extra night’s camping)
FRIDAY April 12, 2013 – Teams arrive, team meeting at 5pm, welcome party to follow. MEAT INSPECTIONS BEGIN AT 10:00AM- 3:00PM. Please be at your site as soon as you can near this time. Sauce meeting at 6:00, same building.
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 that starts at 7pm by SOUTHERN CHAIN GANG. BRING A LAWN CHAIR or a BLANKET but no coolers allowed. Big Jimmy is opening for Southern Chain Gang, and we may also try to squeeze in another band before that, so come back often and click on some of the other links above to see more information. Flip Robinson is on stage at 5PM.
SATURDAY April 13, 2013 –
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, Blue Bell Ice Cream free samples and sponsor product sampling plus more open from 10am-until approximately 9:00 pm.
Competition 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.
KIDS COOK begins at 9AM for students aged 8-18.
Competition Teams- Sauce Contest turn ins at 10:00 AM
Spectators- CAR SHOW from 10-3
Spectators- Live music on the main stage from 11AM- the “Evening With George Wallace, Jr.” at 7:00 pm
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.
Concert info, bands and entertainment line up available by clicking Entertainment link above.
