Dana Point State BBQ Championships

Dana Point State BBQ Championships

The enticing smell of bbq smoke will ride the coastal winds at the 3rd Annual Dana Point State BBQ Championship. The event takes place on Saturday, October 5th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the beautiful Sea Terrace Park…and admission is free. This Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned contest is the largest bbq competition on the west coast. Last year’s event set a California state record with 79 teams participating in the championship and organizers are anticipating to eclipse that turnout this year with a goal of 100 teams. The City of Dana Point encourages local residents and amateur barbeque enthusiasts to form teams and join in the friendly competition.

KCBS is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 15,000 members worldwide. The KCBS places their stamp of approval on over 400 barbeque contests throughout the country. A blind judging process is used by KCBS certified judges to ensure fairness and KCBS judges are trained in a manner that allows them to appropriately assess all types of barbeque, from St. Louis and Texas styles to Memphis and Carolina styles. Judges will sample and assign a point total to each entry based on appearance, taste and texture. Each teams’ cumulative points not only determine the winners at the Dana Point competition, but also go towards regional and national titles like the California BBQ Association’s Team of the Year.

BBQ enthusiasts from Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and across the state are competing again this year for a share of $20,000 in prize money – with the ultimate goal of being crowned the Grand Champion. Teams will compete in four different bbq categories: brisket, pork, ribs and chicken. A special contest category for all you sweet lovers is being served up this year – dessert! The committee has included a bonus contest called the Ranchers Reserve, which will award the most deserving team a cash prize of $900.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9934 will be selling BBQ Tasting Tickets for $2 per tasting, so the public can try some of the mouth-watering BBQ prepared by many of the competitors. All of the proceeds from the public tastings will go directly to the VFW.

The entire family can savor a delicious meal while having some fun at the BBQ Championship. Along with the BBQ, there will be Microbrew Tastings and a food court where full entrees and beverages will be available. Bring the whole family, even the dog, to enjoy the festivities. Plenty of live entertainment will be performed throughout the afternoon from Chris Lozano and the Dixie Playboys, to The Tricia Freeman Band and Turn the Page (a Bob Seger Tribute band).

Proceeds from the food court and beverage area will benefit the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, American Cancer Society’s Dana Point Relay for Life, Pet Project Foundation and other deserving non-profit groups that support local residents.

Parking will be available on Stonehill Road and at Dana Hills High School. A complimentary shuttle bus will run from Dana Hills High School to the BBQ Championship from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To become an event participant or for more information, please contact the Dana Point Community Services & Parks Department at 949.248.3530 or visit
DanaPointBBQChampionships.com.