Date and Time
October 10, 2025 | 4 – 10 p.m.
October 11, 2025 | 12 – 10 p.m.
Location
2 S Bond St
Bel Air, MD 21014
Admission
Free!
Food, Drink, and More Available for Purchase
As Seen On
About the Event
Harford County MD’s most anticipated event of the year is the MD State BBQ Bash. Named as one of Harford County’s best events, the MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, with more than 25 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond competing for cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO.
In addition, 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 20 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.
2024 competition results
Championship Competition
GRAND CHAMPION: SweetBelly’s BBQ
RESERVE CHAMPION: B’s Que
3rd: Smokin with Pops BBQ Team
4th: Menke Boys BBQ
5th: Piggy & Swine
6th: Susquehanna Smokers
7th: All Fired Up BBQ
8th: Up in Smokers
9th: Team Meat Coma
10th: Hoos Smokin’
Tailgate Challenge
Results TBA
2025 event map
Music Line Up
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash.
2025 Music Schedule
Friday, October 10
5 – 7:30 p.m.: Shake the Room
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.: Greylan James in partnership with WXCY
Saturday, October 11
3 – 5 p.m.: Nothin’ But Trouble
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Bonfire Band
8 – 10 p.m.: Chasing Friday
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
Bel Air Elementary School 30 E Lee St
Homestead Wakefield Elementary School 900 S Main St
Kids Tent Schedule
The Kids Tent is located on Thomas Street in Event Central near Vagabond Sandwich Company – scroll up for the event map!
Friday, October 10
4 – 6 p.m.: Empire Dojo and Movement Gym
6 – 8 p.m.: Empire Dojo and Movement Gym
Saturday, October 11
12 – 2 p.m.: Bel Air Library and Movement Gym
2 – 4 p.m.: Bel Air Library and Movement Gym
4 – 6 p.m.: Empire Dojo and Celebree School
6 – 8 p.m.: Empire Dojo
2025 Food Vendors
Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ, Spready Oak Country Cafe, Fountain Green Concessions, Dyvine BBQ in Motion, Virginia Vendor Food Services, Handsome Devil BBQ, Old Line Grill, Bacon on a Stick, Deli-ish, NC Ribs on Wheels, Jim’s Smokin Que BBQ, Ribbins
2025 Activities
Crabby Axe Throwing
Wreck Creation Rage Room
X-Golf Bel Air
2025 Food Trucks
October 10 and 11 Kona Ice, Mr. Dave’s Ice Cream, Das Bierhalle, The Slice Is Right, Don’s Dog
2025 Cornhole Competition
Organized and ran by Old Line State Cornhole!
October 11, 2025 – S Hayes St: 11 a.m. warm up and 12 p.m. starting time
Open and Lower Divisions
BYOP – $40 per team
4-game Round Robin into Double Elimination bracket with a guarantee of 6 games
Cash Prizes!
Pre-Register and More Information: Click Here!
2025 benefitting non profit groups
All tips made in each section from alcohol sales will be donated to the following nonprofit groups!
Friday, October 10
Main Beer Garden Saving Grace Animal Rescue
Auxiliary Beer Garden Shifting Gears
Saturday, October 11
Main Beer Garden The Humane Society of Harford County
Auxiliary Beer Garden Mt. Ararat Lodge No. 44
Let's Rallie App!
Experience the MD State BBQ Bash Like Never Before!
Join us in Downtown Bel Air for Harford County’s most mouth-watering event of the year. From championship BBQ teams to amateur tailgate competitions, the festival has it all!
Make your day easier and more fun with the Let’s Rallie app:
• Explore the Event Map and find all your favorite BBQ vendors
• Vote for your favorite BBQ and help crown the fan favorite
• Check in at participating locations to WIN giveaways
• View the schedule of competitions, music, and activities
• Stay up-to-date with real-time news and alerts
📲 Download Let’s Rallie and enjoy every bite, beat, and moment!
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.
Beer, wine, and more are available for purchase for $6 per drink – you MUST receive a wristband to purchase a drink ticket, and you MUST have a drink ticket to get your beverage. Wristbands are dispensed at the beer garden and auxiliary cart, which is also where tickets are purchased. One ticket equals one drink.
BBQ, food, and more also available for purchase – prices vary and are not controlled by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance.
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. Please scroll up for recommended parking locations and to see this year’s shuttle bus spots.
No weapons of any kind will be permitted in the event. This event is held on government-owned land, so this is very strict – knives/etc. may be confiscated, or you will need to take anything back to your vehicle for storage. Security will provide screening upon entry.
Hilton Garden Inn – Bel Air is the preferred hotel of the Maryland State BBQ Bash. It is located at 4160 Philadelphia Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Convenient to I-95, there are over a dozen hotels in Edgewood (21040) and Aberdeen (21001) Maryland.
Title Sponsor
Amusement Sponsors
BBQ Sponsors
Tailgate Sponsors
Main Stage Sponsors
Kids Zone Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors and Partners
