Memphis BBQ Network upcoming events

Murphysboro BBQ Cook-Off / Praise the Lard (09/24/2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Contest Type

Standard
Ancillaries
Dual Event

Contest Location

214 N 17th Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Ben Heller
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: 618-684-8902
Email: ben@17bbq.com
Contest Website: 17th Street BBQ

Contest Reps

Adam & Maggie Adkison
Email: Madkison@outlook.com

Registration Options

Ancillary events held on Thursday (Fish & Wings) Saturday MBN BBQ Judging: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Thursday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.

Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only MBN BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.

A Note from the Contest Organizers

You may check in AFTER 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday IN FRONT OF THE 17th STREET WAREHOUSE to receive an arm-band good for the Fish Fry and the Grand Champion Meal. This armband is good for you and a spouse or a significant other.

Please understand that this is a wholly sustaining, not-for-profit event and we depend on entry fees, ticket sales, and sponsorships to fund the contest. We would love for you to bring additional guests--tickets are $24 for the fish fry and $32 for the Grand Champion Meal.

Please check in AFTER 4:00 on Thursday if you have been notified via email that your name was drawn to judge the fish and wing contest. Only a limited number of judges will be needed for Thursday, based on the amount of entries--therefore we cannot guarantee a judging spot.

The Great Ruleville Roast (09/25/2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard & Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

200 N. Front Avenue, Ruleville, MS 38771

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Becky Palmer
Mailing Address: 602 E. Harding Avenue, Greenwood, MS 38930
Phone: 662-902-3612

Email: mbnbeckypalmer@gmail.com

Contest Website: Ruleville Roast

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

Bartlett BBQ Fest & Carshow (10/02/2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard
Patio
Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

- Freeman Park, 2629 Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett, TN 38135

Judge Contact Information

Name: Colt Parsons
Phone : 816-573-8900
Email: BartlettBBQContest@cityofbartlett.org

Contest Reps

Name: Maggie Adkison
Email: madkison@outlook.com

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

MS Delta Barbecue State Championship/Cleveland Octoberfest (10/09/2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard & Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

Cleveland, MS

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Becky Palmer
Mailing Address: 602 E. Harding Avenue, Greenwood, MS 38930
Phone: 662-902-3612

Email: mbnbeckypalmer@gmail.com

Contest Website: Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce

There is a hotel room block at the Lyric Hotel

Room rate is $149 + taxes

Reservation may be made HERE

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

Fall Fest Memphis BBQ Cook-Off (10/16/2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Patio & Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

360 Bray Station Road, Collierville, TN 38017

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Jamie Wilson Coggins
Mailing Address: 3580 Foothill Drive, Bartlett, TN 38133
Phone: 901-488-0663
Email: jawc1101@yahoo.com
Contest Website: Fallfest Memphis

Contest Reps

Name:
Email:

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

Bolivar BBQ Blowout (10/23/2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Contest Type

Standard
Patio

Contest Location

110 LaFayette Street, Bolivar, TN 38008

Judge Contact Information

Name: Barbara Anderson
Phone: 731-361-9190
Email: tomandbarb1996@gmail.com
Contest Website: City of Bolivar

Contest Reps

Missi Norman: mbnrep.missi@gmail.com
Lori Meeks: iluvbbq2@gmail.com

Registration

Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend BBQ & Ancillary Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.

Fire on the Water (10/23/2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard
Patio
Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

Lake Village, AR

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Lake Village Chamber of Commerce
Mailing Address: 310 Main Street Lake Village, AR 71653
Phone: 870-632-9616, Jacob Moon, Chairman
Phone: 870-265-5997, Mary Nichols, Executive Director
Email: lvccdirector2022@gmail.com
Contest Website: Lake Village Chamber of Commerce

Contest Reps

Name: Adam & Maggie Adkison
Email: madkison@outlook.com

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

Smokin' the Coast (10/30/2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard
Patio
Ancillaries

Contest Location/Address

Biloxi. MS

Judge Contact Information

Name: Madison Rosonet
Phone: 228-327-7704
Email: andrew.rosonet@gmail.com
Contest Website: The Trident Foundation

Contest Reps

Tonya Eubanks
Elise Jenkins
Missi Norman
Becky Palmer

Hotel

There is a hotel room block at the Palace Casino
To make reservations, please call 228-386-2460
Room Block code is 437 - Smokin' the Coast

Registration Options

Friday & Saturday: For judges planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday and BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging on Saturday. Open only to Training & Certified Judges.
Friday Only: For those planning to attend Ancillary Judging on Friday. Open to All.

Big Pig Jig (11/06/2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Contest Type

MBN Standard Point Contest

Contest Address

350 Big Pig Jig Blvd., Vienna, GA 31092

Judge Contest Contact

Rhonda Lamb
229-322-1596
rhonda@bigpigjig.com

MBN Event Manager

Lois Sebastian

loislynn@bellsouth.net

Judge Registration Options

Saturday Only Attendance

This option is for those judges who plan on attending only Saturday BBQ Events
Mandatory Judges meeting will be at 9:00 am; please check in by 8:30,
Only Certified and Training Judges can register for this portion of the event.

VIP Judge Package ($25.00 per person) Friday & Saturday Attendance

This option is for those judges who plan on attending only Friday Ancillary Events and Saturday BBQ Events
Friday Judging will begin at 5:00; please check in by 4:30.
This package includes: Hospitality Bar, 1-Two Day Event Arm Band, 1 - Souvenir Koozie, 1-Official Big Pig Jig shirt.

Payment link for Whole Hog Package: HERE

Those not in attendance for mandatory judge meetings will not be allowed to judge at the event.

MBN Judge Class –Big Pig Jig (11/06/2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

MBN Judge Class

Memphis Barbecue Network will be conducting a judge training class that covers all aspects of barbecue judging and even provides the opportunity to taste barbecue from two Championship Teams. Once you have completed the course, you will be eligible to judge at the Big Pig Jig.

When: Friday, November 6
Location: 350 Big Pig Jig Blvd., Vienna, GA 31092
Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm (approx.), Doors will open at 8:30am (All Times are EST)
Fee: $75.00 per person which includes badge and membership dues during training.

PLEASE ONLY ONE REGISTRATION PER EMAIL ADDRESS & PERSON

ALL REGISTRANTS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED TO JUDGE THE EVENT ON SATURDAY

901 Hot Wing Festival (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Hot Wings

Contest Location/Address

Grind City Brewing Company, 76 Waterworks Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Organizer Contact: Derek Fairchilds
Phone: 901-258-3011
Email: dfrchlds@yahoo.com or info@901hotwingfest.com
Contest Website: www.901hotwingfest.com

Contest Reps

Registration Options

Saturday Only: For judges planning to attend only Hot Wing Judging on Saturday. Open to All.

The Hog Drop (12/31/2026)

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Judging Opportunities

Standard

Contest Location/Address

406 South Avalon St., West Memphis, AR 72301

Organizer & Judge Contact Information

Name: Michael Mixon
Mailing Address: 2732 Pine St., Unadilla, GA 31091
Phone: 229-443-0362
Email: jacksnewsouth@gmail.com or hogdrop@yahoo.com
Contest Website: The Hog Drop

Contest Reps

Name: Adam & Maggie Adkison
Email: Madkison@outlook.com

Registration Options

New Year's Eve For judges planning to attend only BBQ Judging . Open only to Training , Certified Judges, & GBA Judges.