The Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle started in 1982 with twelve contestants and twelve judges. On April 27, 1984 Governor John Carlin declared the contest the official Kansas State Championship. The contest has grown to its current size of 195 contestants and 240 judges. You may view the location map of this year’s event.

The contest is always held on the fourth Saturday of June each year. The contest will be held on the following dates for the following years:

Dates:
2010 – June 25 & 26
2011 – June 24 & 25

HOURS:
Friday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The contest is held at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (87th & Lackman Road), although some people think the park should be renamed to “Char-Co-Par” Trails Park for that weekend! The contest attracts cookers from all over the country who compete over two days for the coveted title of Grand Champion of the Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle, Kansas State Champion.

The volunteer committee, consisting of Pat Dalton, Ron Byrd, Don Oppliger, Fred & Jane Schmidt, Alan Uhl, Bobbie Molloy and city staff, spend twelve months planning the event. This two-day event typically includes children's activities, live music, and of course, barbeque, barbeque and more barbeque.

The fun begins on Friday as 195 teams arrive with some of the most unique smoking contraptions imaginable. They bring with them secret recipes that they hope will help aid them in winning the contest. As the teams prepare their cooking sites, the park comes alive with entertainment and live music Friday night.

The real contest begins Saturday as the judging tent buzzes with activity preparing for the first barbeque samples to arrive around noon. 240 judges have the hard task of identifying the best barbeque among seven different categories, including brisket, pork, ribs, sausage, chicken, whole animal and miscellaneous.

There is a $5.00 admission on Friday evening. Children under twelve are free. There is no admission fee on Saturday.