Great Lenexa BBQ Battle

Friday, June 23, 2023, 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway & Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS 66215

  • Admission: $5 on Friday night; free on Saturday. Children 12 and under are free both days.
  • Parking: Limited on-site $5 parking Friday and Saturday; Free satellite parking and free shuttle to event.

The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle started in 1982 with 12 contestants and 12 judges. On April 27, 1984, Governor John Carlin declared the contest the official Kansas State Championship. The competition attracts cooks from all over the country, who compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion of the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - The Kansas State Championship. For 2022, prizes and ribbons are awarded to the top 10 contestants in seven categories (brisket, pork, pork ribs, chicken, sausage, beef steak and miscellaneous) and the top three overall winners.

Food Vendor Opportunities

Volunteer and Judging Opportunities


Event Sponsors

Major Sponsor:

Reser's Fine Foods

Platinum Sponsors: 

Community Builder Sponsors: 

  • The Meritex Company
  • Block Real Estate Services, Inc.
  • Copaken Brooks

Sponsorship opportunities

For sponsorship information, contact Marisa Shartzer, [email protected].  


Contact Information and Cancellations

Sarah Hirst, 913.477.7139, [email protected]

To stay notified of event cancellations, call our notification line at 913.477.7170.