Great Lenexa BBQ Battle
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park 87th Street Parkway & Lackman Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215
The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle is the official Kansas State Championship, attracting cooks who compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion.
Prizes and ribbons are awarded to the top 10 contestants in seven categories (brisket, pork, pork ribs, chicken, sausage, beef steak and miscellaneous) and the top three overall winners.
The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle started in 1982 with 12 contestants and 12 judges. Governor John Carlin declared the contest the official Kansas State Championship in 1984.
Cost: Admission: $5 on Friday night; free on Saturday. Children 12 and under are free both days.
Friday night (June 21)
Teams primarily host private parties, and free samples to the public are not required of teams.
- 4:30 p.m.: Event gates open
- 4:30–11:30 p.m.: Free parking shuttle (to and from the business lot at 95th Street and Lackman Road)
- 5–9 p.m.: Free children’s activities (face painters, balloon artists, GaGa Ball and two bounce houses)
- 7:30–10:30 p.m.: Super Star Mafia band performs
- 11 p.m.: Event gates close
Saturday (June 22)
- 9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free parking shuttle (the business lot at 95th Street and Lackman Road)
- 9 a.m.: Event gates open
- 9 a.m.–2 p.m.: Free children’s activities (face painters, balloon artist, GaGa Ball and two bounce houses)
- 11:55 a.m.: Competition judging begins
- 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Super Star Mafia band performs
- 3 p.m.: Event gates close
- 4:30 p.m. (approximately): BBQ Battle contest winners announced