The annual Derby BBQ Festival in Derby’s High Park will be lots of fun! It’s this weekend, June 9 & 10, 2023! This is an annual festival that is a family-friendly event with live music, food, kid’s activities. And admission is FREE. They average about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest.
Guests can expect a fun-filled weekend at High Park in Derby! From live music and food trucks to the People’s Choice Tasting Contest and Kids Corner, there’s fun for everyone. The younger attendees can enjoy the Kids Corner on Saturday, June 10 with princesses, face painting, bounce houses, foam parties and more. The older guests can enjoy beverages from the Beer Garden and the rockin’ country sounds of the Kyle Killgore Band on June 9 they can enjoy 80s ballads by Paramount. On June 9 there is a cornhole tournament and on June 10, we have a 5K Smokin’ Race and Car Show.
Fun Facts about Derby BBQ & Music Fest:
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- It’s free to attend!
- Proceeds go to the McConnell Air Force Base Military and Family Readiness Center. We hold a special event for McConnell families at Rock River Rapids. We host a free swim night at the park. The date is June 2 this year.
- The BBQ & Music Fest is Derby’s largest event drawing thousands of people over two days.
- They average about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest.
- They also host a Steak Cook-off through the Steak Cook-off Association.
Schedule of Events for the Derby BBQ & Music Fest:
Friday, June 9, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Creekstone Farms People’s Choice Tasting Contest, 7 to 9 p.m.
- Buy a $5 tasting kit to try six two-ounce samples of competition pulled pork.
- Live music
- Kyle Killgore Band, 7 to 10 p.m. on the Security 1st Title Mainstage
- Taylor Fugitt will open for the band from 6 to 7 p.m. on the Security 1st Title
Mainstage
- Derby Recreation Commission Toss Like a Boss Cornhole Tournament – Click HERE to register
- Citizens Bank of Kansas Food Truck Row, Derby Noon Lions Club Beverage & Beer
Garden and Shaken or Stirred Bartending
Saturday, June 10, 2023:
The Creekstone Farms Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Cook-off for professional teams and the Scholfield Honda Backyard BBQ Cook-off for aspiring pitmasters will be held along with the Creekstone Farms Steak Cook-off Association (SCA) Steak Contest. Learn more about time frames and register at DerbyBBQ.com.
June 10, 2023: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 7:30 a.m.: Smokin’ 5K and Kids Fun Run. Click HERE to register
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Hot Wheels for Hot Meals Car Show, upper north parking lot
- 9 to 11 a.m.: Breakfast food options on the Citizens Bank of Kansas Food Truck Row
- 9 to 11:30 a.m.: The Steinbergs perform on the Security 1st Title Mainstage
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smile Safari and Derby Orthodontics/Trimmell Anders and White Kids Corner on the east side of the pond. Activities include inflatables, princesses, face painting, foam parties, and more.
- 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Candace & the Business Casual perform on the Security 1st Title Mainstage
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Citizens Bank of Kansas Food Truck Row
There will be a break in scheduled activities at the park from 3 to 6 p.m.
June 10, 2023: 6 to 10 p.m.
- Live music by Paramount, an 80s rock tribute cover band from Salina
- 7 to 10 p.m. on the Security 1st Title Mainstage
- Citizen Bank of Kanas Food Truck Row, Derby Noon Lions Club Beer & Beverage Garden and Shaken or Stirred Bartending
The event began in 2011 as The National BBQ Derby. It started small and has grown over the years. In 2014 they changed the name to the Derby BBQ Festival and became a KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) event. In 2019 we added a music festival and changed the name to the Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest. It was our sesquicentennial celebration. Our logo has seen several changes over the years as well.
Date: June 9 & 10, 2023
Time: June 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. and June 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (they take a break for BBQ awards and to get teams out of the park)
Location: High Park, 2801 E. James St., Derby, KS
Price: Free!
Parking: On-site parking will be available in the paved lots and grass parking will be available accessible from the east Madison Ave. entrance. An ADA parking lot will be available on the north side of the Zimmerman Family Shelter. Look for signage when you arrive at the park. We will also have golf cart shuttles to get you to the action faster! Look for a friendly event volunteer if you need a ride.
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