2026 BBQ COMPETITION

Bring the
heat to Derby.

This is where bragging rights are earned. Join top pitmasters at High Park for a two-day BBQ throwdown featuring KCBS and Backyard divisions—plus a People’s Choice competition. Fire it up and show Derby what you’ve got.

The KCBS Master Series BBQ Competition  

Four meats will be judged in this contest: Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket.
KCBS 2026 Official Rules and Regulations & Judging Procedures will be used.
Teams must compete in all four meat categories to qualify for Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion.

Set up

  • ONE vehicle per team will be allowed in the competition area. All other vehicles must park in the designated parking area.
  • Register early, for early bird registration discount.
  • Space will be allocated at Derby’s High Park by Smoke on the Plains BBQ staff.
  • Derby Public Works staff will park each contestant on Friday, June 12 beginning at 8 a.m. All teams will be parked in a pre-determined manner to expedite electricity hook-ups. There will be no saving spots. Thursday arrival can be arranged but there will be no power available until Friday.
  • 120v (30 AMP) power supply is available. Bring your own extension cords.
  • Free ice is provided near contestant spaces.
  • A designated area will be provided for trash and ash disposal.
  • Tear Down – Most teams want to leave directly after awards. PLEASE DISCONNECT ALL POWER AND WATER SOURCES BEFORE GOING TO AWARDS. Staff will disconnect water and power beginning at 3 pm. We do have live music, food trucks and adult beverages available on Saturday night. You are welcome to stay but will not have access to power.

Turn-Ins

  • Meat will be inspected upon arrival at the park. No preparation may begin prior to meat inspection.
  • Teams will be given an approved KCBS numbered container for each meat by our KCBS reps at the Cook’s Meeting at 5:30 pm, Friday, June 12, at the judging tent.
  • Entries should be brought to the Judging Tent at the following turn-in times on Saturday, June 13:
    – Chicken: 12:00 Noon
    – Ribs: 12:30 pm
    – Pork: 1 pm
    – Brisket: 1:30 pm

Prizes

  • A total of $20,000 will be paid out in prize money for all the competitions at the BBQ Festival.
  • Top cash prizes in this contest will be awarded to a Grand Champion ($1,500) and a Reserve Grand Champion ($1,000) for best execution of all four meats.
  • This contest will pay down to 10th place in all four categories; awards will be awarded from 1st to 10th place in all four categories.

Backyard BBQ Competition 

Two meat categories will be judged in this contest: Chicken and Pork Ribs.
KCBS 2026 Official Rules and Regulations & Judging Procedures will be used.
Teams must compete in both meat categories to qualify for prizes.

Set up

  • ONE vehicle per team will be allowed in the competition area. All other vehicles must park in the designated parking area. 
  • Competitors may cook on any type of non-gas grill.
  • Space is allocated at Derby’s High Park on a first-come. To expedite electricity hook-ups, all teams will be parked in a pre-determined manner.
  • Staff will park contestants on Friday, June 12 beginning at 8 am. All backyard spaces are 20’ x 20’.
  • 120V (30 AMP) power supply is available. Please bring your own extension cords.
  • Free ice is available near contestant spaces.
  • Tear Down – Most teams want to leave directly after awards. Please plan to be packed up and unhooked from power and water before 3 pm. All power and water will be disconnected during awards ceremony.

Turn-Ins

  • All meat will be inspected upon arrival at the park. No preparation may begin prior to meat inspection.
  • Teams will be given an approved KCBS numbered container for each meat at the June 12, 5:30 pm Cook’s Meeting.
  • Entries should be brought to the Judging Tent at the following turn-in times on Saturday, June 13.
    – Chicken: 12:00 Noon.
    – Pork Ribs: 12:30 pm

Prizes

Trophy for Overall Champion

Chicken
1st Place: $300 
2nd Place: $200
3rd Place: $150 
4th Place: $100 
5th Place: $80 

Ribs
1st Place: $300 
2nd Place: $200
3rd Place: $150 
4th Place: $100 
5th Place: $80 

KCBS People’s Choice Competition

Attendees are the judge for the People’s Choice Tasting Contest. 

The People’s Choice Tasting Contest will be held Friday night, June 12. Pulled pork may be prepared prior to arrival (three pork butts per team turned in). Teams will receive a discount on entry fee for participating. Competition containers must be used for meat turn-in.

Turn-Ins

  • Meat must be turned in by 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, June 12.

Prizes

Payout for People’s Choice pays 1st to 5th place: $500, $450, $400, $275, $175.

KCBS Kids Que 

Registration

  • There will be two age groups: 6-10 and 11-15 years old. Space is limited to a total of 20 participants.
  • Participants must complete the entry form and pay entry fee.
  • No refunds will be made once the entry form and entry fee have been accepted.
  • Each entry form must be signed by the participant’s parent or guardian.
  • Each participant and parent or guardian MUST attend the cook’s meeting on Friday, June 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the judge’s tent. It will be announced when particpants can begin grilling.

Contest Information

Participant Responsibilities

  • Participant will be assigned a cooking area with table space (keep all supplies/equipment in your area.)
  • Participant will receive a small grill (Grill will be started by a Derby Firefighter) and 1 lb. of ground beef. The ground beef must be the main protein source however other accompanying proteins such as bacon or sausage may be used in conjunction with the ground beef.
  • Participant will receive one numbered styrofoam container to turn-in meat for judging.
  • Participant can use their own seasonings, condiments, garnishes, buns, cheeses, sauces, etc.  KCBS rules on garnish do not apply.
  • Participant is required to do all preparations, seasoning, garnishing and cooking of entry with no help from parent or guardian, unless the task is too dangerous for particpant to complete.
  • Participant must turn in no less than enough prepared meat for six judges to sample (does not have to be six individual pieces). Meat must be kept at 160 degrees or higher until turn in time.
  • Participants are responsible for the clean-up of their assigned cooking area. Grills will be emptied by Derby BBQ staff and cooled for  participant to take home.
  • Participants are responsible for abiding by all rules & regulations. Failure to do so will be cause for disqualification.

Judging

  • Judging will be based on appearance, tenderness/texture and taste.

Parental Involvement

  • A parent or guardian must be available on site at all times from set-up to tear down. Any participant not under adult supervision will be disqualified.
  • Adult participation or coaching during competition could lead to disqualification. There will be Derby BBQ staff and Derby Fire Department present to help with grills and hot coals.

 

Awards & Turn-In

Awards

  • Awards will be presented at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, June 12 at the Kids Que cook site.
  • The 1st place winner in each age division will receive $200; the 2nd place winner in each age division will receive $150 and the 3rd place winner in each age division will receive $100.
  • The 1st place winner in each age division will also be recognized at the BBQ Team Awards on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m at Mainstage.

Turn-In Time

All entries must be turned in at the Judging Tent on Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. (five minutes before and after acceptable). The Judging Tent will be clearly marked with signage.

If you have questions about the Kids Que Contest, contact Andrea Walters at 788-1519 ext. 1248 or andreawalters@derbyks.gov

Registration

Show off your baking skills at Smoke on the Plains! The Ancillary Pie and Cookie Contests are open to the public and welcome bakers of all experience levels.

Pies will be judged during KCBS BBQ judging on Saturday, with winners announced at the 3:00 p.m. awards ceremony. The Cookie Contest is designed for youth bakers ages 6–15 and will be judged following the KCBS Kids Que Contest. Each entry is judged on taste, appearance, and overall presentation.

Whether you’re baking a classic pie or a crowd-pleasing cookie, this is your chance to join the fun and be part of the Smoke on the Plains tradition.

If you have questions about the Ancillary Contests, contact Andrea Walters at 788-1519 ext. 1248 or andreawalters@derbyks.gov