Event Schedule
Two days, one festival. Here's the full timeline for the public, vendors, competition teams, judges, and live music across September 19–20, 2026.
Audience legend
- 7:00 AM
Food vendor load-in begins
Food vendors load in from 7:00–9:00 AM.
Food Vendors - 7:00 AM
Retail vendor load-in begins
Retail vendors load in from 7:00–10:00 AM.
Retail Vendors - 8:00 AM
Team loading begins
Competition teams may begin setting up in their assigned 10x20 spaces.
Teams - 9:00 AM
Team meat inspection begins
All meat must be raw, unseasoned, unmarinated, and uncooked at inspection.
Teams - 11:00 AM
Mandatory team meeting
All competing team captains must attend.
Teams - 12:00 PM
Gates open — festival begins
All food and retail vendors must be fully set up and ready to serve. Free admission.
PublicFood VendorsRetail Vendors - 1:00 PM
Live music — Opening Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 1:30 PM
Judge check-in
All judges report to the judging tent.
Judges - 2:00 PM
Mandatory judge meeting
KCBS scoring procedures and rules briefing for all judges.
Judges - 2:30 PM
Judge seating
Judges take their assigned tables in preparation for turn-ins.
Judges - 3:00 PM
Live music — Afternoon Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 3:00 PM
Chicken Wing turn-in
Window: 2:55–3:05 PM. Late turn-ins are not accepted.
TeamsJudges - 4:00 PM
Pork Rib turn-in
Window: 3:55–4:05 PM. Late turn-ins are not accepted.
TeamsJudges - 5:30 PM
Live music — Headliner
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - ~6:00 PM
Awards presentation at the stage
Category winners, Reserve Grand Champion, and Grand Champion announced.
PublicTeams - 7:30 PM
Live music — Closing Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 9:00 PM
Festival closes for the day
Saturday public hours end. All teams must be loaded out of the competition area by 9:00 PM.
PublicTeams
- 12:00 PM
Gates open — day two begins
Food and retail vendors open for business. Free admission.
PublicFood VendorsRetail Vendors - 1:00 PM
Live music — Opening Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 3:00 PM
Live music — Afternoon Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 5:00 PM
Live music — Closing Set
Artist TBA
PublicLive Music - 6:00 PM
Festival closes
Public hours end. Vendor load-out begins.
PublicFood VendorsRetail Vendors - By 9:00 PM
Vendor load-out complete
All food and retail vendors and equipment removed from grounds.
Food VendorsRetail Vendors
Schedule subject to change. Live music artists are TBA — check the Live Music page for lineup announcements.