Tri City BBQ Fest Turns Ten
August 28, 2024
The Tri City BBQ Fest is on for the tenth year this September 20 and 21. More than 15,000 friends and family will come to Uptown Denison, IA, for a BBQ competition, free live music, a car show, great food, cold drinks, kids activities and more. Hosted by the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County, the Tri City BBQ Fest is the signature tourism event for Denison and one of the region’s premier food and musical festivals.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tri-City BBQ Fest! This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our sponsors and the hard work of our volunteers,” said Paul Plumb, Executive Director of the Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County. “The Tri City BBQ Fest has always been about bringing the community together, and we are so grateful for the support that has made this event a beloved tradition.”
Smoke, songs, shows and more
The festival schedule is highlighted by the signature event - a BBQ competition officially sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). Over 40 experienced and new BBQ teams compete in separate categories for nearly $17,000 in prize money in one of the best BBQ tournaments in the region. The Master Series competition features seasoned BBQ teams preparing chicken, pork ribs, pork or beef brisket specialties for official judges. Competitors function per KCBD Masters Series Rules, requiring all seasoning and cooking to be done within an assigned cooking space onsite, with fires via wood, wood pellets or charcoal. The teams can participate in a People’s Choice Competition, where the public tries samples and votes for the top three. Lastly, a Metro Competition pits Omaha vs Des Moines for Sioux City for prizes as well. The Backyard Series composition is for those new to the BBQ scene. About a dozen teams will compete under rules like the Master Series with chicken and pork rib creations.
Saturday afternoon features the Hog Wild Care Show, where up to 250 entries will be judged in numerous classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and even a high school class.
Eight free concerts from local and national acts run Friday night through Saturday night, headlined by Casey Muessigmann Friday at 9 p.m. and Hairball at 9 p.m. SaturdayMore than BBQ
The Tri City BBQ Fest is a 100% non-profit event created by the Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County with the support of the Denison Tourism Board, Crawford County Tourism, the City of Denison and numerous sponsors and volunteers. Admission to the festival and all concerts is free, and food, rides, soda, and beer are available for purchase.
“While the obvious answer to why we have been putting on this event for ten years is that everyone loves BBQ,” said Plumb. “But the Tri City BBQ Fest is one of Western Iowa’s premier tourism events each year and our primary method to market our community, attract visitors, raise community pride, thank our meat-industry employers, and claim our position between three major metros.”
The event’s economic impact is tremendous, bringing in millions of dollars to Denison. That input extends beyond the event itself, as retail businesses across town are encouraged to stay open longer and staff to handle the potential for increased business.
Cookoff for the community
The Tri City BBQ Fest is a fabulous example of matching a community’s interests to family fun and economic development. Western Iowa Advantage (WIA) proudly represents such communities through its seven-county service area. WIA is ready to take on 2024, keeping an eye on education, support, and business tours while tackling workforce attraction and housing. We are committed to facilitating ongoing improvements in our region’s economy, quality of life, and tourism. Contact us today at (712) 792.9914 or info@westerniowaadvantage.com and see how easy it can be!
