DATE/TIME
Friday, Oct. 13 | 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14 | 12 – 10 p.m.
LOCATION
2 S Bond St
Bel Air, MD 21014
ADMISSION
Free!
Food, drink, and more available for purchase
In addition, more than 40 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge to see who has the best ribs and chicken while competing for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than 10 years, the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead.
The MD State BBQ Bash is being brought to you by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Main Street Maryland organization dedicated to creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly destination in Downtown Bel Air, MD. This event is the largest fundraising effort for the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and 100% of the proceeds benefits the mission and is reinvested locally.
Music Line Up
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash.
2023 Music Schedule
Friday, 10/13
5 – 7:30 p.m.: Mark Bray & The Steel Soul Cowboys
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.: Dalton Dover
Saturday, 10/14
3 – 5 p.m.: Under the Covers
5 – 7:30 p.m.: Nothin But Trouble
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.: Neon Union
Seating
Looking for a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy your fresh BBQ? Here is a list on seating options for the event!
- High Top Tables along Thomas St. and in the Crafter’s Area in Event Central
- Picnic Tables in the Courthouse Patio, Park Area, and behind Vagabond Sandwich Co.
- BYOS! Come with foldable chairs to sit throughout the event, including near the stage!
Parking
Plenty of parking is available throughout Downtown Bel Air. All parking is free in Downtown Bel Air on weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays, including the Bel Air Parking Garage (located at 6 S. Hickory Ave).
Handicapped Parking for the Event
Handicapped parking lots can be found close to the event in the parking lot on W. Pennsylvania Ave. (between S. Bond and S. Hayes Streets), the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot located at 38 S. Bond St., the top half of the Bond/Thomas Lot (125 Thomas Street – enter on Bond), and select bagged spaces on the street on Pennsylvania Ave. Handicapped parking is strictly enforced, and all violators will be towed.
Shuttle Bus Parking
Two shuttle buses service the MD State BBQ Bash. They run between the event, Bel Air Elementary School, and the MVA – Bel Air Lot (501 W MacPhail Rd.).
- Friday, 10/13 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 10/14 from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Kids Tent Schedule
Friday, October 13
4 – 8 p.m.: We Rock the Spectrum and Empire Dojo
Saturday, October 14
12 – 4 p.m.: Harford Artists Association and Harford County Public Library
4 – 8 p.m.: We Rock The Spectrum and Empire Dojo
Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll up to the blue Resources section to navigate to the correct application!
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash. Please scroll up to the “Music Line Up” section for this year’s performers.
Admission into the MD State BBQ Bash is free. For their safety, no pets/dogs allowed.
Plenty of parking is available throughout Downtown Bel Air. All parking is free in Downtown Bel Air on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
No weapons of any kind will be permitted in the event. Security will provide screening upon entry.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Bel Air is the preferred hotel of the Maryland State BBQ Bash. Homewood Suites is located at 4170 Philadelphia Road Bel Air, MD 21015. Convenient to I-95, there are over a dozen hotels in Edgewood (21014) and Aberdeen (21001) Maryland.
