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KCBS Sanctioned One-Meat Pork Ribs Competition | Saturday, August 1, 2026 at the California State Fair
Get ready for a fiery showdown at the California State Fair BBQ Competition! Grill masters from across the state will ignite their barbeques and battle it out for the title of 2026 BBQ champion.
Friday, July 31, 2026
8pm-9:30pm – Early Team Equipment Move In (service pass required) Meat Inspection & People’s Choice Meat Check Out available
Saturday, August 1, 2026
5:30 am – Team Move In
6:00 am – Meat Inspection & People’s Choice Meat Check Out
8:00 am – Vehicles Must Be Off Fairgrounds
8:30 am – Cooks’ Meeting
10:00 am – Public Fairgrounds Gates Open for the Day
12:30 pm – Ancillary Turn-In for Judges (Bldg. B Cooking Theatre) -more info coming soon!
2:00 pm – Ribs Turn in for Judges (Bldg. B, Cooking Theatre)
3:00 pm – People’s Choice Judging Begins
5:00 pm – People’s Choice Judging Ends
6:00 pm – Awards Ceremony (Bldg. B, Cooking Theatre)
8:00 pm – Farm Closed – Team Equipment Load Out Using Vehicles May Begin
9:30 pm – Team Equipment Must Be Off Grounds
Official Awards
Champion – $300 & State Fair Golden Bear Trophy
2nd Place – $200 & State Fair Rosette
3rd Place – $150 & State Fair Rosette
4th Place – $100 & State Fair Rosette
5th Place – $75 & State Fair Rosette
All awards come with one CA State Fair BBQ Apron
People’s Choice Awards – $175 & State Fair Rosette
Ancillary Awards
1st Place – $150 & State Fair Rosette
2nd Place – State Fair Rosette
3rd Place – State Fair Rosette
Barbequing & People’s Choice Judging at the CA State Fair Farm
Awards Presented at the Cooking Theatre, Building B.
Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
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