JOIN THE FUN: SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 2026
BACKYARD BBQ CONTEST
BACKYARD BBQ CONTEST
​New for 2026: Compete in our Iowa BBQ Society Sanctioned Backyard BBQ Contest!​​
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Sponsored by:
ENTER YOUR TEAM IN THE COOK-OFF
8 teams will face off, each working with 20 chicken thighs and 5 racks of ribs generously supplied by Fareway Meat Market. This is a "Back Yard Competition, so BBQ'rs new to the competition are welcome!
Prizes
All prizes also include an incredible trophy!
Grand Champion – $400
Reserve Champion – $250
Meat Categories
(Chicken, Ribs)
1st Place – $100
2nd Place – $75
3rd Place – $50
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People's Choice​
Fareway Gift Card + Swag + Fall Fest Beer Tickets
​​The cost to register your team is $200. Included with your registration, will be 20 bone-in chicken thighs and 5 racks of ribs, plus up to a 20'×30' space in the BBB Parking Lot (2625 Beaver Ave). You'll bring the rest! (ie, a quiet generator + 50' extension cord, meat thermometer, etc.) Note: No on-site power is provided. There will be an on-site porta potties and a handwashing station. Ice will be available for purchase day-of by credit card. Meat pickup is Saturday morning at the cook's meeting and check-in, time is TBD. Turn-in is 12:30 PM (chicken) and 1:00 PM (ribs). People's choice sampling and voting will be from 1 PM until 2:30 PM. ​ Prizes will be announced on the Main Stage at 3 PM. Sorry! Once registered, no refunds.
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The Beaverdale Fall Festival Backyard BBQ Competition strictly adheres to the official rules and regulations of the Iowa Barbecue Society, which can be found on their website, www.iabbq.org, or here. Have any questions? Interested in being an official judge? Contact us!
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Check back soon for the team registration form! If you would like to be emailed when registration opens, please Contact us!
SAMPLE & VOTE FOR PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Limited people's choice tasting wristbands are for sale!
$15 gets you a water, domestic beer*, access to taste all of the cook-off samples, a special side from Sponsor Fareway Meat Market, and the ability to cast your vote for 'People's Choice'. Sampling and People's Choice Voting will be from 1 PM - 2:30 PM Saturday.
Once registered, there are no refunds.
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Check back soon for the sampling registration form! If you would like to be emailed when registration opens, please Contact us!
*Alcohol is only available to those 21+ and with valid identification.