Great Lenexa BBQ Battle 2023

What more can you ask for when it comes to fine BBQ festivals in Kansas than one of the State’s lesser-known BBQ competitions. You may not have heard of the Great Lenexa BBA Battle before, however, there is no reason to not attend this year’s proud return to the Sunflower State once again. Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect at this year’s Kansas State Championship.

A growing tradition of Kansas BBQ Pride

You might find this hard to believe, but the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle started back in 1982 as an obscure barbecue cooking competition. There were only a total of 12 contestants who gathered together and were given titles and awards by just 12 attending judges. Yet, from the state that has made the American Royal World Series of Barbecue practically a religious pilgrimage for BBQ fans, the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle was still considered small peanuts.

It was all due to the efforts of (then) Governor John Carlin, who was impressed by this unlikely underdog of BBQ competitions, a chance to represent their State. He declared officially on April 27^th, 1984, that this competition was now the official Kansas State Championship cook-off that would then go on to rival the American Royal WSB. As a result, it attracted top BBQ chefs and home cooks from all over the country to attend and compete.

And though the American Royal WSB started in 1980, more people have heard of this BBQ competition than the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle by name only. That doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, they’re both outstanding Kansas BBQ cook-offs. You might say that with only a mere 200 barbecue teams strutting their stuff to gain the big titles, the Lenexa cook-off is no small affair by far!

Never let a good cookout go to waste

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle is back once again for another swing at barbecue glory for 2023! But before we get into the big plans for the upcoming BBQ battle that’s making headlines around Kansas, we’ll also review who were the big winners for last year’s competition! As usual, we’ll provide the total low-down on what to expect this year and what to be on the lookout for.

What to expect for 2023?

This year the date has been set for June 23-24, 2023 once again at the Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Admission is just $5 for Friday night, but Saturday admission is totally free! If you’ve got kids under 12, they’re also free for both days. There is a parking fee that costs $5 and there is a free shuttle service to the Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park entrance. As you can see from this handy map, this lets you know where all the teams and food vendors are located.

Towards the opposite end of the lake, there is a great kid’s area and plenty of relaxation spots along the winding park paths. Now the important thing to know is that all BBQ contestants are not off limits to visit, but they aren’t required to give samples. If they do provide any samples of inviting you to their private parties on Friday or Saturday, this is certainly a bonus. Keep in mind there are at least 7 various food and drink vendors providing all sorts of comfort foods.

Become a judge this year!

If you’ve ever wanted to judge great BBQ for a real competition then this is your chance to act quickly! All through February you can directly register to become an official judge for this year’s BBQ Cookoff. It’s one of the more popular positions that any volunteer can hold and has some great benefits of sampling more BBQ than you ever imagined. Sign up for the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle soon before judging volunteer spaces are filled.

If you’ve already missed this opportunity, don’t worry! There is also the Lenexa Chili Challenge that happens on October 13-14 this year too. Be sure not to miss either of these fantastic events

Who took the top winning awards in 2022?

The 40^th annual Great Lexena BBQ Battle was indeed a huge success with a turnout of over 164 BBQ teams that attended and participated in various cook-off categories. The categories included all of the major category entries including chicken, pork, pork ribs, and brisket. Some entries also judged beefsteak, sausage, and misc. sides. Here are the top winners who floored the judges with their signature BBQ style.

• Grand Champion: Love 2 Cue – De Soto, Kansas (Head Chef: Keith Nebel)
• Reserve Grand Champion: Pirates of Bar B Cue Bay – Olathe, Kansas (Head Chef: Mike McGee)
• Third Place Overall: Sublime BBQ – Olathe, Kansas (head Chef: Dub Siegel)

See Archive of BBQ winners and photos

Misc. Sides

• First Place: Brew N’ Bar-Be-Que
• Second Place: Burnt Finger BBQ
• Third Place: Midnite Vultures

Event highlights

Both Friday and Saturday got off to a great start with the usual festivities of all contestants getting their private parties jumping at 4:40pm on Friday. While kids enjoyed the bounce house, various games, face painting, and balloons, guests sampled many of the various foods and drinks that were provided near the front gates of the Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The Fast Times Band played for more than 3 hours before the first day was completed.

By Saturday, this got off to an earlier start at 9am with judging beginning just before noon. Luckily, any contestant who was cooking briskets and meats the night before was keeping watch on their BBQ. The Fast Times Band once again took the main stage for another 2-hour marathon set from noon to 2:30pm. But the big announcements came at 4:40pm sharp to let everyone know who were the big winners on the main stage.

Archive: 2021 Upcoming Event Coverage

This year, the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle is being held from June 24^th through 25^th will welcome back competitors and hungry guests for two days of everything barbecue. The categories are pretty standard and include BBQ specialties for brisket, pork, pork ribs, and chicken. There’s also a fair share of music performances, and even a kid’s zone to keep the kiddos happy. But that’s not all, since Saturday is when everyone gets a chance to sample free BBQ from the competitors!

Since last year, they had to keep in line with the pandemic regulations so there was no public access to the team cook-off area. This year will likely see a thankful return to team-only areas to get an up-close and personal chat with this year’s hopefuls. There is certainly a festival aspect to this event that gives any BBQ competition real charm. There are also private team parties that you can attend by invitation only if you know some of the teams.

In 2020, this was the first time that this festival needed to be canceled due to health concerns but obviously sprang back in 2021. There is prize money for competitors that will be set according to the three top slots. These include Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and 3^rd Overall Winner. Grand Champs will enjoy a full-size banner, ribbon, and a $3000 check while 2^nd place champ gets a ribbon and a check for $1,750.

The third place isn’t too shabby with a ribbon and a check for $1,250. They have also added a secondary award for each category that ranges from $550 down to $50 in gift cards for winners from the 1-10^th place. All contestants must follow the KCBS_RULES so they don’t get disqualified. Ironically, this includes minor infractions such as keeping their drinks within their booth area or excessive noise after 11pm to 7am for contestant booths.

Does it cost anything to attend?

On the first day of this event (Which is Friday) June 24, the entry fee is just $5 for general admission. On Saturday, the admission fee is totally free, which also is when the big winners are announced. There will be plenty of vendors selling BBQ food and drink on both days so you can expect nothing but the best.

If you’re lucky, you can schmooze your way into some private event parties that many of the competitors are sponsoring until 11pm on Friday night. Be sure to plan your trip soo for the best prices on staying in Lenexa for 2 days.