Atoka BBQ Fest kicks off Friday night – here’s what you need to know

March 30, 2023

The 10th annual Atoka BBQ Fest kicks off Friday night in Nancy Lane Park, bringing with it a decade of tradition and, of course, stormy weather.

“The BBQ Fest event has grown, changed, and expanded throughout the years into what has become a well-received, and respected, BBQ competition, taking place just before the annual Memphis in May Barbeque Competition,” said mayor Barry Akin. “This year there are 60 teams registered, and we are expecting another great competition to add to the history books. Although the main part of the event is the BBQ competition, there are still many other things open to your family and the community.”

In addition to the cooking contests, there are several public events:

• Friday – corn hole tournament with cash prizes, a Kid’s Cook Off, and the biggest selection of food trucks and merchandise Vendors in BBQ Fest history. There will be live music by The Jay Jones Band and Twin Soul.

• Saturday – Kid’s Zone with bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, and yard games that are all free. New this year is a pulled pork tasting which is open to the public with donations from several competition teams providing the pulled pork (noon until 2 p.m.). The public will then get to vote for a team to win the People’s Choice Award. Saturday will also include the Mayor’s Pie Challenge and Grilled Cheese Challenge. Both contests are open for the public to participate in with awards issued to the judge’s top picks.

“Free transportation will be provided from the Nancy Lane parking lot all throughout the event, and from our overflow parking at the Cineplanet movie theater located on Munford Atoka Avenue,” Akin said.