Name, details announced for Memphis’ new BBQ festival

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The organizers of the new Memphis barbecue festival announced the name of the upcoming event on Thursday.

“SmokeSlam” with the tagline: “The World’s Ultimate BBQ Showdown,” will take place from May 16-18 at Tom Lee Park.

The three-day event has attracted over 100 interested teams, according to Forward Momentum, the group that organized the festival.

LEARN MORE — New BBQ competition coming to Tom Lee Park

“I have invested many years of my life into the barbecue world, and I’m excited to see a multi-sanctioned barbeque competition, combined with an expanded fan experience, come to our city,” says Melzie Wilson, a lifelong supporter of competition barbecue and respected community leader with over 20-plus years in the sport.

Wilson has joined the SmokeSlam steering committee to help organize the event.

“The name, ‘SmokeSlam,’ perfectly captures the essence of BBQ and the intensity of competition, which is what this event is all about,” she says. “I have no doubt it will attract Memphians from all walks of life and visitors from all parts of the U.S. to downtown Memphis.”

SmokeSlam carries a purse of $250,000 and is the largest in pork BBQ competition history.

The festival has also partnered with the Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) to run the judging for the competition.

“SmokeSlam will be an MBN-sanctioned event where teams can compete in all three major categories, and category winners are also eligible for a ‘Golden Ticket’ to compete in the World Food Championship in the Fall. Judging will be blind and on-site for the preliminaries,” says Wilson.

Categories will include Whole Hog, Ribs, and Pulled Pork, with prizes awarded across five places per category, totaling $150,000 in prize money.

Seven categories of Dessert, Bacon, Duck, Poultry, Beef, Seafood, and Wings have been added, with a total prize of $40,000 across five places, sanctioned by the World Food Championship, and each winner in these categories will also get a golden ticket to the World Food Championship.

The grand prize in the MBN Pork competition will be $50,000 for the winning team. Small prizes to the value of $10,000 will also be awarded.

Application registration will open the week of January 14 for all potential competitors, and space will be limited to ensure the quality of competition and the best use of the venue space for a high-quality fan experience.

“The steering committee will make the final selection of teams. We want to make sure that we have the best mix of competitors and that we design the space to take advantage of the amazing venue. Team booths will be available in Tom Lee Park on the river, and for those who prefer street access, there will be booths available on Riverside Drive. The cost will range from $2,000 for a basic space to $3,500 for a larger booth, including entrance fees, some electrical access, and ablutions,” says Wilson.

SmokeSlam’s mission will be to produce an inclusive event that enhances the rich tradition of barbecue in Memphis, the unique river setting, and the city’s musical heritage.

“Our event is called a festival because we aim to attract barbecue fans, but also families, music lovers and young people from Memphis and beyond,” says Mike Smith from Forward Momentum.

The festival will include a carnival with a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and games; a central marketplace, which will be a partnership with local businesses where fans will be able to buy merchandise and other goods; and an interactive element where fans will be able to sample food and participate in fun food-related events.

“True to our heritage in organizing large fan-based experiences, SmokeSlam will have live music on all three nights, catering to a range of musical tastes, with both local and national talent performing. There will be something for everyone, with the barbecue competition at the core of the event,” says Smith.

Organizers are currently in discussion with several large sponsors, and more news will follow on partnerships with local charitable causes, influencers, and celebrity talent.

For more information, teams can contact Forward Momentum at BBQ@MemphoPresents.com or at https://bbqfest.wufoo.com/forms/bbq-competition-entry-form/.

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