HUNTSVILLE — Some 100 barbeque experts and connoisseurs are expected next month for the return of WhistleStop, Huntsville’s two-day battle of the barbeque.
Set for Sept. 9-10, the event invites professional and amateur grill masters to show off their barbeque expertise as festival goers experience the excitement of a cook-off while live music and the smell of barbeque fills the air.
This year, the annual fundraising event for the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum is embracing a football theme: Tailgate Throwdown.
WhistleStop 2022 offers a menu of music, barbeque and fun in a tailgate atmosphere and will take place again at John Hunt Park.
The barbeque competition features a professional division sanctioned by Kansas City Barbeque Society; the Shadetree (amateur) division, judged by certified judges; and a WhistleStop Wing Thing where the public decides the winner.
For the first time in festival history, visitors can upgrade their general admission ticket and have access to the new WhistleStop Tasting Tent. Along with smoke-inspired small bites, the upgrade also includes special samplings of craft spirits, local beers and select wines. A limited number of upgrades are available. The cost is $10/person for Sept. 9 and $20/person for Sept. 10.
A public tasting will be Sept. 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. featuring the Wing Thing competition where festivalgoers will choose the best chicken wings. Tickets are $10 and include 10 wings and a soft drink.
During the main competition, amateurs will serve up chicken and ribs and the professionals will showcase their best chicken, pork, ribs and beef brisket. Kansas City BBQ Society and the Shadetree BBQ Awards will be presented Sept. 10.
Many of the backyard cooking teams in the Shadetree competition will have samples available. Those attending the festival between noon and 2 p.m. Sept. 10 will have a chance to vote for their favorite where $1 equals one vote.
To vote for the People’s Choice Awards, place coins or cash in the jar provided at the cook-site. The team with the most money will be announced as the People’s Choice Award winner during the awards presentations on the main stage. Participating teams will have a sign at their cook site.
In addition to the barbeque competition, the festival will offer tailgate spot for groups to come out and enjoy the atmosphere. Set up like a huge outdoor sports bar, the Tailgate Throwdown Zone will have three super-sized LED screens showing football games.
There will be live music beginning at 5 p.m. both nights, classic cars on display Saturday at 10 a.m., food trucks for those who prefer other food options, and a Family Fun Zone featuring an inflatable bounce house and the EarlyWorks STEM Tinker Tent.
Tailgate games will also be available for those that want to test out their backyard game skills. This area is included in the festival admission.
Festival hours are 4-11 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 10. Admission is $10 per day. Tickets may be purchased in advance by clicking here. Parking is provided on the north side of the festival grounds and is $5 per car and $25 for an RV.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
