NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Competitive barbecue teams, country music fans and visitors from across the Midwest are expected to converge on North Platte this fall for the inaugural Sandhills Smoke Show BBQ Competition.
The two-day event is scheduled for Sept. 25-26 at Pals Brewing Company and will feature a barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), along with live music, food and activities designed to attract residents and tourists alike.
The event is being hosted in partnership with Visit North Platte and Pals Brewing Company and will be managed by Airstream Ventures.
Country duo Love and Theft, a CMA Award nominee known for hits including "Angel Eyes" and "Runaway," will headline a kickoff concert on Friday evening. The Drew Phillips Band is slated to perform following the barbecue competition on Saturday.
Competition teams will battle in four KCBS-sanctioned categories — brisket, pork, ribs and chicken — with opportunities to earn points toward national rankings while competing for prize money and championship honors. Organizers say attendees will also have the chance to sample barbecue prepared by participating teams.
Visit North Platte Executive Director Lisa Burke said the event aligns with the community's efforts to attract visitors through unique events and experiences.
"North Platte continues to be an outstanding destination for unique events that attract visitors from across the country," Burke said. "The Sandhills Smoke Show combines great competition, hospitality and community spirit while introducing new visitors to everything our destination has to offer. We are excited to welcome competitors and their families to North Platte and showcase the attractions, restaurants and experiences that make our community special."
Officials with the Kansas City Barbeque Society say the event adds another destination competition to the national barbecue circuit.
"KCBS-sanctioned competitions celebrate barbecue as a sport, culinary art and community gathering," the organization said in a statement. "We are excited to welcome the Sandhills Smoke Show BBQ Competition to the KCBS family and look forward to seeing teams compete in North Platte."
Organizers anticipate the event will bring additional overnight stays, restaurant traffic and other economic activity to North Platte and Lincoln County as teams, judges and spectators travel to the area for the weekend.
"Events like the Sandhills Smoke Show are exactly what sports tourism and event tourism are all about," said Alan Verlander, CEO of Airstream Ventures. "We believe great events create lasting economic impact while bringing people together. North Platte has proven time and again that it is a community capable of hosting outstanding events, and we are excited to partner with Visit North Platte and KCBS to launch what we believe will become one of the premier barbecue competitions in the region."
Additional details, including team registration information, sponsorship opportunities, entertainment announcements and spectator activities, are expected to be released in the coming months.