If you want to see our first time competing in the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, there’s a video below. If you want to see the 2nd time, come next year!
The 41st annual Great Lenexa Barbecue Battle was a little different from the first in 1982. If you’ve ever been to the event, you know how truly amazing it is and why it’s a Lenexa favorite. And, if you’ve ever competed in this competition, it’s likely you’ve come back for more. I know we will be back next year for the 42nd annual competition. In fact, if you compete one year and you want to keep your spot in the competition, you can’t skip a year. You could end up on the wait list if you either skip or don’t enter in the four main categories.
My love for history has me wondering about the history of the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle that began in 1982. There were 12 barbecue teams total. Paul Kirk, a Lenexa resident, was the Grand Champion and was awarded a case of Michelob Beer. Legend has it a bottle was missing when it was presented to him. This flamed the embers of this long standing event. By 1984 it was proclaimed the official Kansas State Championship.
This year was the 41st annual competition. There were 169 teams total. The winner, Damn Fine Beef and Swine, was a first time competitor at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. They’re locally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri but competitors have traveled in from around the country. The Grand Champion prize was $3,000. I wish the case of Michelob, minus 1 beer, was still part of the tradition!
Prizes and awards are given to the top 10 contestants in 7 categories: brisket, pork, pork ribs, chicken, sausage, beef steak and miscellaneous. There are 3 overall winners as well, based on points. Aside from bragging rights, contest winners have also gone on to open successful restaurants and catering businesses in the past.
The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle takes place on the 4th weekend in June at So Ko Par Park in Lenexa, Kansas. It’s a family-friendly event with food trucks and live music.
As a competitor. you’re allowed to bring in your larger equipment on Thursday evening and leave it overnight. It’s patrolled by police all evening. Then, the park opens on Friday morning to set up. Most competitors stay the night. This used to be the evening you could invite guests up and have a BBQ party. Along the way it opened up to the public for $5 to walk around and listen to live music. Saturdays are open to the public at no charge. Plan accordingly or take advantage of the food trucks because you’re not actually allowed to walk around and try any BBQ.
If you missed this years event, you can still make it to another family favorite, the Lenexa Chili Challenge. This fun event is always scheduled on the 2nd weekend of October. For a small fee, you get a spoon and can walk around trying all the different chili samples as well as the newly added categories: chicken wings and salsa.
Want to know more about Lenexa, Kansas? Reach out!
Reece Nichols – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate
913-948-3918 | 913-323-7222
heather@heatherbrulez.com
