Pork in the Park National BBQ Cookoff in Salisbury, Maryland

Follow your nose and the pig signs off Route 50 to the Pork in the Park BBQ Festival at Winterplace Park in Salisbury, Maryland. This family friendly BBQ festival has grown in leaps and bounds as the recent events have hosted 142 BBQ competitor teams and saw over 35,000 attendees, making it the 2nd largest Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Competition in the nation.

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KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Competition Competing BBQ teams spend the weekend slicing, seasoning and sizzling pork, chicken and beef in hopes that their cooking will earn them a portion of the $20,000 in cash prizes and invaluable bragging rights on the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) BBQ Circuit. The competition decisions lie in the hands of the KCBS certified professional judges. Judging is done in many categories including whole hog, beef, chicken, pork, ribs, anything butt and a dessert category. View 2012 Competition Results

Pork in the Park BBQ Festival and Entertainment

The festival surrounding the competition is three days of events with entertainment the whole family will enjoy-all for only $2 per person and kids under 12 are free! Pork in the Park offers festival-goers a weekend packed with entertainment options. On Friday night, the Froggy 99.9 Country Showcase is on tap while Saturday features the Mountaire Chicken’ Pickin’ and Piglet’s Korner (free children’s area). On Sunday, the 2nd Annual Cornhole Competition returns as the Eastern Shore’s Best Wings Competition is introduced and Amateur Backyard BBQer’s can show off their skills over the open flame. Complementing these individual events, the festival offers live entertainment, rides and games, unique craft vendors, delicious food and cold beverages for sale all weekend long. Admission is $2 for adults and children under twelve are free.

Featured Festival Activities

• Backyard Barbeque Contest
• Piglet’s Korner
• Chickin’ Pickin‘ Contest Sponsored by Mountaire Farms
• Corn Hole Tournament
• Eastern Shore Best Wings Competition
• Froggy 99.9’s Country Showdown

Many regional artists and craftsmen will also take part in the festivities offering their jewelry, pottery, photography and artwork. Children will enjoy the wide selection of amusement rides, slides and games. On Saturday kids will can enjoy a special area of their own - the Piglet’s Korner, which features free crafts and entertainment.

Many different types of Delmarva food including pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, ribs and beef BBQ will be available. This scrumptious barbecue-some of it cooked by competitor teams themselves-and other festival style food will tempt your taste buds. Fresh squeezed lemonade is always a festival favorite. A wide selection of beer and wine will also be available including Delmarva’s own Evolution Craft Beer and Bordeleau Wine. Wine from Maryland’s Boordy Vineyards will also be featured this year.

The festival is open from 4pm to 10pm on Friday, 10am to 10pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. The Pork in the Park BBQ Festival is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and presented by Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism.