The annual Derby BBQ Festival in Derby’s High Park will be lots of fun! The festival will be held this summer at High Park, 2801 James Street on June 6, 7 and 8, 2019.
The annual festival is a family friendly event with live music, food, kids activities. But in 2019, the festival gets an extra day, some extra fun, and a longer moniker in honor of Derby’s 150th anniversary.
It will be known as the Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ and Music Fest.
It will still feature the Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off and the other local backyard competitions.
And admission will still be FREE.
But this year, there will also be a carnival and a music festival!
On Thursday, June 6, the carnival will kick off the festival. It will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. All-you-can-ride wristbands will be $25, or you can pay $3 per ride.
Friday, June 7 the Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Fest begins in earnest, with a live performance by the band Paramount, food trucks, and adult beverages.
Two other events on Friday night include the Steak Contest (which you can enter) and the Toss Like a Boss Cornhole Tournament.
The carnival continues during Friday nights activities, which will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Then on Saturday, the festivities resume in the morning and revolve around the Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off where pro teams compete for thousands of dollars in prizes and a chance to compete at the American Royale World Series of Barbeque in September.
Now here’s the part you really want to hear about: how to eat the barbecue! The People’s Choice Contest is when you get to eat (and vote on) competition-quality pulled pork. Tasting kits cost $5 and get you eight 1 oz. samples.
Tasting kits usually go on sale around 11 a.m. at a tent near the amphitheater. You can vote for your favorite using the poker chip provided in your kit. (Don’t worry if you aren’t full; there will be plenty of other food vendors on site!)
The festival also includes the Backyard BBQ Cook-off for aspiring pit masters, and the Anything on a Stick contest, which is open to the public! Winners receive cash prizes and ribbons for first, second, and third place. (If you’d like to throw your hat in the ring, enter online at DerbyBBQ.com)
Kids will enjoy inflatables, face painters, characters, and other fun activities.
Music Festival Lineup
Saturday is also the big day for live music at the Derby BBQ Festival. The schedule so far includes:
The Haymakers at 11 a.m.
Morrison County at 6 p.m.
Mountain Deer Revival at 7 p.m.
Learn more about the Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest and register for contests at www.derbybbq.com.
Proceeds from the Derby BBQ Festival benefit the Airman & Family Readiness Center at McConnell Air Force Base.
Date: June 6-8, 2019
Time: 6-10 Thursday and Friday nights; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then 6-10 p.m. on Saturday
Location: High Park, 2801 E. James
Cost: Free
For more information: www.DerbyBBQ.com or 316-788-1519
Find more of Wichita’s Favorite Festivals
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