Great Lenexa BBQ Battle

Grand Champion: Mulkey's BBQ (Imperial, Missouri)
Head Chef: Mike Mulkey

Reserve Grand Champion: Smokey Bey's Barbeque (Liberty, Missouri)
Head Chef: Charles Winslow-Bey

Third Place Overall: Gettin' Basted (Branson, Missouri)
Head Chef: Brad Leighninger

Complete contest results(PDF, 245KB)

Winner photos

Friday, June 21

4:30–11 p.m.

• 5–9 p.m.: Free children’s activities (face painters, balloon artists, GaGa Ball and two bounce houses
• 7:30–10:30 p.m.: Superstar Mafia band performs

Teams host private parties on Friday night. The public is welcome to stroll the park and enjoy the band and children's activities. Food and drink items are available for purchase with our vendors.

Saturday, June 22

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

• 9 a.m.–2 p.m.: Free children’s activities (face painters, balloon artist, GaGa Ball and two bounce houses)
• 11:55 a.m.: Competition judging begins
• 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Superstar Mafia band performs
• 4:30 p.m. (approximately): BBQ Battle contest winners announced

Traffic

Expect increased traffic in the area around the park. The competition attracts thousands. 

Parking

Limited public parking is available on the East side of Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Limited handicap parking is available at Foundry Church. We recommend the free satellite parking at the business park at 95th Street and Lackman Road. Shuttles are available approximately every 10 minutes.

Taxi and rideshare service

If you plan to arrive or depart from the event by taxi or ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft, the pickup and drop-off location is at Foundry Church, 8835 Lackman Rd.

Samples

This is a BBQ competition. Hundreds compete. Teams do not provide samples. They typically host private parties on Friday evening while they prep for Saturday's competition. Saturday the focus is on final preparation and presenting meats to the judges. The public is welcome to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

Concessions

A variety of food and drink items are available for purchase from our vendors.

Alcohol

Only competition teams can bring in alcoholic beverages during the check-in process before the event begins. Individuals may purchase alcoholic beverages at designated locations and at the concession area.

Pets

Only service dogs are allowed at the event.

Wheels

Bikes, skateboards and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the event. Exceptions are wheelchairs or other devices needed by people with disabilities. 

Weather

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle does not have an inclement weather makeup date. The event will go on as planned even in rainy conditions. The City of Lenexa reserves the right to cancel the event if necessary due to unsafe conditions. No refunds are given due to inclement weather.

Team lists

• By booth number(PDF, 178KB)
  
• By head chef(PDF, 178KB)
• By team name(PDF, 178KB)

Map

• BBQ Battle event map

Awards

Prizes and ribbons are awarded to the top 10 contestants in seven categories:

• brisket
• pork
• pork ribs
• chicken
• sausage
• beef steak
• miscellaneous

The top three overall winners are also recognized. 

Priority registration

Teams that competed in the 2023 contest may register for the 2024 contest beginning Monday, March 4, 2024 at 8 a.m.

New teams

Any available team spots will open for new teams Monday, April 1, 2024, at 8 a.m.

Fees

Required team fee: $250 per team. This includes electricity, one (1) Silver parking pass, five (5) team wristbands, and five (5) admission stickers.

Optional items:

• One (1) extra silver sticker parking pass: $15
• Admission stickers: $3 each (team price is valid through June 14)

Booth space and capacity details:

• Team booth spaces are 20' wide x 30' deep.
  • All trailers (including hitch/tongue) must fit within these dimensions.
• We will accept up to 176 teams.
  • Once the contest is full, teams will automatically be placed on the waitlist and contacted if we have a team cancellation.
• Remaining spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellations / inclement weather:

Refunds will not be given to teams that choose not to compete in the current year's competition, as well as in connection with any disputes that result in the team being disqualified from competing in the competition, regardless of the timing. The team's priority registration will be forfeited the following year. Entry into the competition and old booth space will not be guaranteed for subsequent years.

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle does not have an inclement weather makeup date. No refunds will be given due to inclement weather. The event will go on as planned even in rainy or inclement weather conditions. The City of Lenexa reserves the right to cancel the event if necessary due to unsafe conditions.

Registration instructions

Register online

1. Sign in under “Login” in the top right corner. If you do not have an account, please create an account first.
2. Select the open box next to "BBQ Contestant Registration."
3. You will be asked several registration questions. You will have the opportunity to purchase electricity, one additional parking pass, as well as additional admission stickers.