Annual Bourbon BBQ Festival Returns With Dozen Teams, 100 Vendors

The Bourbon Economic Development Group will present the sixth edition of its BBQ Festival on Saturday, June 1.

The downtown event will be centered at the festival grounds on Elm Street.

With 12 teams and 100 vendors, this year’s event is on track to be BED’s biggest since the inaugural in 2017.

BED has maxed out the number of vendors able to set up, with some even being turned away. When BED chairman Chuck Ray spoke to the Bourbon City Council on March 26, he said they had 40 vendors lined up.

Interest has skyrocketed in the last two months.

BED brought the event back last year to huge fanfare, one year after the 2022 version was abruptly canceled.

BED regrouped over the next year to refine the event and presented a successful day for the community.

Twelve teams are traveling from all corners to participate in the BBQ competition.

The teams vying for grand champion are:

Team Gabe

Hess Hogs 4 

The Ash Amigos

Barrel Brothers BBQ

Big Daddy BBQ

All Up In Smoke

Smoke and Beers

Hawg Holler BBQ

Smokin’ 45 BBQ

Team Mine ResQue

Take It Easy BBQ

Era’s Que

Hess Hogs 4 was crowned grand champion in 2021 and reserve grand champions in 2023. 

The teams will serve up the best chicken, ribs and pork steak to a panel of judges.

The Brenton Sterling Band is providing live music on the main stage. 

Food will be available for purchase, with plenty of games, family fun and craft vendors to round out the event.

There is no admission and the event will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.