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 50 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, 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.
When
Oct. 13, 2023 4 – 10 p.m.
Oct. 14, 2023 12 – 10 p.m.
Where
Downtown Bel Air
Harford County, MD
2 South Bond Street
Admission
Free
Click the map below for a printable PDF!
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. Click here to see the full list of sponsors and partners.
Applications for BBQ Bash
Please use the BBQ Bash sidebar to navigate to the correct application page!
Music Schedule
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash. Click on the “Music Schedule” link in the sidebar to view the 2023 lineup!
Admission
Admission into the MD State BBQ Bash is free. For their safety, no pets/dogs allowed.
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. on weekdays. Click here to see where you can park.
Security
No weapons of any kind will be permitted in the event. Security will provide screening upon entry.
Accommodations
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.