Event Information

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!