Tampa Bay’s most gastronomically-pleasing event is taking over the St. Pete waterfront this January. The Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival & Competition is turning St. Pete’s Vinoy Park into a full weekend of hog heaven, taking place Saturday and Sunday, January 11-12.
The 8th annual festival (formerly the St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Fest) is a sprawling celebration of great local food, live local music, and cold local beer. There will be more than 100 BBQ dishes available for purchase from award-winning pitmasters – from rich and smoky brisket to thick crispy bacon cheeseburgers and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
In addition to local beer and cocktails, each day will feature live local bands on the main stage, plus games, prizes and more fun.
The Brisket Bay VIP Tickets are $49 in advance, and in addition to the free beer or cocktail, they include: exclusive access to the Brisket Bay area with brisket samples from the barbecue teams, cocktail & spirit samples from local breweries and distilleries; a private lounge with dining tent and tables; a private front row area by the stage with high-top tables; a cigar lounge with comfy furniture and a small-batch whiskey bar; and an executive A/C bathroom trailer.
General admission tickets are $9 in advance, which grant access to the main festival grounds and come with a free 3 Daughters Brewing beverage or a cocktail. Kids 12 and under get into the festival for free, and dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
In addition to all the food and drink, there will be live mural artists painting on-site, live DJs and bands, yard games and competitions, and local vendors showcasing artisan goods. There will also be eating competitions, which we can’t wait to watch.
More than two dozen Tampa Bay area food trucks, pit masters, and restaurants will be on hand for the event, along with a few non-BBQ and bacon items, for those who need a brief break from the meat. There will also be awesome blossoms, jalapeno poppers, craft ice cream, and local donuts.
Saturday’s festivities take place from 12-7 pm, with performances by DJ Badda Skat, Floridaze, The Hulagans, Soul Purpose, and Serenation. Events on Sunday run from 1-7 pm, featuring music by DJ Badda Skat, Taylor Jansen Trio, The Reality, Displace, and Crossfire Creek Band. Find more festival information at tampabaybarbecue.com.
Those interested in competing in the BBQ competition can register here.
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