A KCBS Sanctioned Event
One day of championship barbecue, live music, Maryland agriculture and family fun — where MoCo brings the heat.
Oct 17, 2026 | 11AM - 6PM
Saturday · One day only
Wheaton Triangle
Wheaton, Maryland
Rain or Shine
All are welcome
About The Event
The MoCo Smoke Show is more than a barbecue competition — it's an economic development and placemaking initiative built to draw visitors to Wheaton, support local restaurants and small businesses, and celebrate Maryland-grown food.
Top pitmasters from across the country compete alongside backyard contenders while the streets fill with food, music, makers and family activities.
5,000+
Anticipated attendees
20+
BBQ teams competing
25+
Food & retail vendors
1st
KCBS event in MoCo
Where MoCo brings the heat
The Experience
Proceeds support local initiatives and community programs across Montgomery County.
Sanctioned competition across brisket, ribs, pork and chicken.
An open division for local legends and first-time competitors.
Guests taste, vote, and crown the crowd favorite of the day.
Wheaton's restaurants serving alongside the competition.
★
Live music & entertainment
★
Local craft beverages, beer & wine
★
Kids zone & family activities
★
Maryland agriculture showcase
★
Local artisan & maker marketplace
★
Community organizations & activations
The Nighthawks enter the new year with two new members: Zach Sweeney on guitar and Sol Roots on bass. Drummer Mark Stutso’s still on board with his singing and songwriting that make him an audience favorite. And founder, lead singer and harpmaster Mark Wenner is still at the helm.
With some 30 recordings and local and international awards to their credit, The Nighthawks are still churning out new material while drawing on more than four decades’ worth of signature tunes for their legendary live shows. Check the schedule page for a date near you!
DMV radio icon and master of the mix, DJ Flexx brings three decades of energy and hometown flavor to the MoCo Smoke Show.
The legacy band of the Godfather of Go-Go brings DC’s signature sound to Wheaton — call-and-response, nonstop percussion, and a crowd that never sits down.
Food
Award-winning Chef Ashish Alfred
Chef Ashish Alfred is joining the MoCo Smoke Show lineup on October 17, our hometown hero will be here live bringing his expertise, energy and of course appetite!
Compete
Choose your category
Master Series
For experienced competition teams
KCBS’s premier four-meat competition challenges teams to master different cuts, cooking methods, and turn-in times throughout the day.
Competition Categories
- Chicken
- Pork Ribs
- Pork Shoulder
- Brisket
Teams compete for individual category awards, plus Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors.
$300
KCBS membership is not required to compete.
Backyard Series
For emerging competitors and local pitmasters
A more accessible way to experience KCBS competition barbecue, the Backyard Series is ideal for newer teams, skilled home cooks, and pitmasters ready to test their talents.
Competition Categories
- Chicken
- Pork Ribs
Teams follow official KCBS rules and blind judging and compete for category awards, plus Backyard Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors.
$200
KCBS membership is not required to compete.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
An optional fan-voted competition
Give Smoke Show guests a chance to taste your BBQ and vote for their favorite. Participating teams will provide pork butt samples for the public People’s Choice tasting.
Competition Category
- Pork Butt
Participation in People’s Choice is optional and separate from the official KCBS Master Series and Backyard Series competitions.
$70
Cast Your Vote
For BBQ lovers who want to do the judging
This one is for the fans. Purchase a People’s Choice ticket, taste barbecue prepared by participating competition teams, and vote for your favorite.
Your $15 ticket includes:
6 randomly selected BBQ samples
2 oz. per sample
12 oz. total BBQ
1 vote for your favorite
This year’s People’s Choice category is pork butt.
Saturday, October 17
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Tickets are limited and available on event day while supplies last.
Compete
Space is limited · Judges also wanted
Choose your division
KCBS Master Series
Sanctioned, four categories, points eligible.
$275
Backyard BBQ
Open division for local and first-time teams.
$125
Team name
Wheaton Wood Fired
Head cook
Jordan Hayes
Phone
(240) 354-1313
Site requirements
20×20 space
Electric hookup
Trailer over 25 ft
Overnight camping
Also vending to the public
← Back to division
Continue to reviewYour registration
KCBS Master Series
$275
Electric hookup
Included
People's Choice entry
$50
Total due
$325
Included with entry
✓ Water & electric access
✓ Ice and grease disposal
✓ Onsite trash collection
✓ Team swag & cook's meal
✓ Friday load-in access
Want to judge instead?
KCBS certified judges and table captains — apply for the October 17 contest.
Judge application →
Vendors & Makers
Trucks and tents serving thousands of festival guests.
From $350 / 10×10
Local makers and small businesses in the marketplace.
From $200 / 10×10
Farms, exhibits, and farm-to-table demonstrations.
Partner rate
Nonprofits and civic groups with interactive activations.
No booth fee
Sponsorship
Powerful brand exposure
Digital, print, social and on-site signage before, during and after the event.
Community impact
Support a hometown event that showcases local businesses.
Economic benefit
Drive traffic and contribute to growth in Montgomery County.
Food & farm heritage
Celebrate Maryland agriculture and the art of barbecue.
Tier 04
$1,500
Logo on event signage & website · Social recognition · 4 hospitality passes
Tier 03
$5,000
Named competition zone · Vendor booth included · Stage mentions · 10 passes
Tier 02
$15,000
Main stage branding · Awards presentation · Press inclusion · Premium booth · 25 passes
Most visible
Tier 01
$30,000
Naming rights · Logo lockup on all creative · Exclusive category · 50 passes
Saturday, October 17
7:00 AM
Teams fire up
Cooking begins after Friday load-in
Competition Row
11:00 AM
Gates open
Vendors, marketplace and kids zone open
Wheaton Triangle
12:00 PM
Chicken turn-in
First KCBS category to the judging tent
Judging Tent
1:00 PM
People's Choice tasting opens
Buy a tasting kit, sample, and vote
Tasting Lane
2:30 PM
Farm-to-table demo
Maryland agriculture showcase stage
Ag Pavilion
4:00 PM
Chuck Brown Band and DJ Flexx
Live music and entertainment
Main Stage
6:00 PM
Awards & Grand Champion
Category walks and the crowning of MoCo's best
Main Stage
Friday, October 16 — Team load-in
Registered teams receive load-in windows and site assignments two weeks out.
Live scoring
Overall
Chicken
Ribs
Pork
Brisket
Backyard
Rank
Team
Categories
Trend
Total
01
Ember & Oak BBQ
Silver Spring, MD · Master Series
4 / 4
▲ 2
687.42
02
Reedie Road Ribs
Wheaton, MD · Master Series
4 / 4
— 0
681.06
03
Triangle Smoke Co.
Rockville, MD · Master Series
4 / 4
▼ 1
674.88
04
Old Line Pitworks
Baltimore, MD · Master Series
3 / 4
▲ 3
508.19
05
Backyard Blaze
Kensington, MD · Backyard
3 / 3
— 0
502.74
06
Takoma Smoke Society
Takoma Park, MD · Backyard
3 / 3
▼ 2
497.31
Now judging
Brisket
Final category · Awards at 6:00 PM
People's Choice votes
1,284
Ember & Oak BBQ
Backyard Blaze
27%
Reedie Road Ribs
21%
Voting closes at 5:00 PM · Scan the QR at any tasting station
22
Teams competing
48
Certified judges
Presented by
Teams, judges, vendors and guests — every seat at the table makes the first MoCo Smoke Show bigger.
Yes! Registration is now open for the KCBS Master Series and Backyard competitions. Space is limited, so teams are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
The current prize pool is more than $6,500—and growing! Every additional team registration increases the prize pool.
Our goal is for the inaugural MoCo Smoke Show to meet the participation requirements necessary to become an official qualifier. Every registered competition team brings us closer to reaching that goal.
Teams will load in on Friday, October 16. Load in and parking details will be shared with registered teams.
The MoCo Smoke Show is a KCBS-sanctioned, urban, parking-lot-style BBQ competition featuring Master Series and Backyard competition divisions.
Registered BBQ teams will receive access to electrical hookups, water, ice, a designated grease-disposal area, and onsite trash bins with scheduled trash collection. Registered teams will also receive complimentary MoCo Smoke Show swag.
Additional competition logistics and instructions will be included in the official team information packet.
The MoCo Smoke Show People’s Choice puts the judging in your hands!
While certified judges handle the official KCBS competition, the People’s Choice Award is decided by you—the public. Purchase a People’s Choice ticket, taste BBQ prepared by participating competition teams, and vote for your favorite.
How does the People’s Choice work?
Each People’s Choice ticket includes six (6) randomly selected 2 oz. BBQ samples from participating competition teams.
Your tasting selections are randomly assigned, so you may receive samples from different teams than your friends and family. This helps give participating teams an opportunity to have their BBQ tasted by guests throughout the People’s Choice competition.
Taste all six samples, decide which one is your favorite, and cast your vote!
How much BBQ do I receive?
Each ticket includes:
6 BBQ samples × 2 oz. each = 12 oz. of BBQ
The six samples will be randomly selected from participating People’s Choice competition teams.
How do I vote?
Each of your six samples will correspond to a competition team number. After tasting your samples, choose the one sample you liked best and cast your vote using the voting instructions provided at the event.
Each People’s Choice ticket provides one vote for your favorite BBQ sample.
When voting closes, the votes will be counted and the top teams will be recognized as the MoCo Smoke Show People’s Choice winners.
When is the People’s Choice?
People’s Choice will take place on:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
We strongly encourage participants to arrive early to purchase tickets. Samples are prepared specifically for the People’s Choice competition and are subject to availability.
How much are People’s Choice tickets?
$15 on the day of the event, if available
Only a limited number of People’s Choice tickets will be sold.
Will I get to sample BBQ from every team?
No. Each ticket includes six randomly selected samples from participating People’s Choice teams.
Because your six samples are randomly assigned, purchasing additional tickets may result in receiving samples from some of the same teams.
Do all BBQ competition teams participate in People’s Choice?
No. Participation in the People’s Choice competition is optional for BBQ teams. Your six samples will come from teams that have elected to participate.
Can I purchase more than one People’s Choice ticket?
Yes, subject to availability. Each ticket includes six randomly selected 2 oz. samples and provides one People’s Choice vote.
Can I share my People’s Choice ticket?
Each People’s Choice ticket and tasting kit is intended for one participant. If multiple people would like to participate in the tasting and voting experience, we encourage each person to purchase their own ticket.
Are People’s Choice tickets refundable?
No. All People’s Choice ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
Where does the People’s Choice take place?
The People’s Choice is part of The MoCo Smoke Show:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
MoCo Smoke Show: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
People’s Choice: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Maryland
Six samples. One vote. Your choice.
Come hungry, taste competition BBQ, pick your favorite, and help crown the MoCo Smoke Show People’s Choice Champion!
Yes! MoCo Smoke Show guests can receive a special group rate at the Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown.
Group rate: $149–$159 per night
Block dates: Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2026
Reservation deadline: Friday, September 25, 2026
Group name: MoCo Smoke Show
Book the MoCo Smoke Show group rate
Guests may also call the hotel at 301-589-4899 and reference the MoCo Smoke Show group when making their reservation.
Need an extra night? Guests may request accommodations for one day before or one day after the confirmed block dates, if needed. Please contact the hotel directly for assistance and availability.
Rooms are limited, so we encourage guests to reserve early. The discounted rate is available only through September 25, 2026, or until the room block is filled.
The MoCo Smoke Show will be held in beautiful downtown Wheaton at:
2424 Reedie Drive
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Competitors and guests can expect a distinctive urban, parking-lot-style BBQ experience in the heart of the Wheaton Triangle.
No. Teams are not required to be registered with the Kansas City Barbeque Society to compete in the MoCo Smoke Show.
However, results earned by a nonregistered team may not count toward KCBS Team of the Year points, historical team records, Hall of Fame consideration, or other KCBS awards and recognition programs.
Teams that would like their competition results to count toward eligible KCBS programs may register with KCBS and pay the applicable membership fee.
Yes! We encourage teams to compete and vend. There is limited space. So, sign up today!
Yes, we are actively looking for sponsors that would like to be part of this historic KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition.
Yes! General admission to the MoCo Smoke Show is free. Guests are invited to enjoy the BBQ competition, food vendors, entertainment, local businesses, and family-friendly activities.
Vendor, sponsor, and volunteer opportunities are available. Please use the appropriate interest or registration link on this page to get involved. Additional information and next steps will be provided after your submission is received.
The MoCo Smoke Show features two KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition divisions. Both follow official KCBS rules and use blind judging, but they are designed for different levels of experience and require teams to prepare different meats.
Master Series Competition
The Master Series is KCBS’s full four-meat competition and is commonly considered the more advanced or “professional” division. However, teams do not have to own a restaurant or operate a barbecue business to compete.
Master Series teams prepare entries in four categories:
Chicken
Pork ribs
Pork shoulder
Brisket
Managing four meats with different preparation methods and cooking times makes this a more demanding competition. Teams compete for awards in each meat category, as well as the overall titles of Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion.
Backyard Series Competition
The Backyard Series offers a more accessible introduction to KCBS competition barbecue. It is a great option for newer teams, local pitmasters, experienced home cooks, and competitors looking to build their skills.
Backyard teams prepare entries in two primary categories:
Chicken
Pork ribs
Although the format is smaller, Backyard teams follow official KCBS competition rules and are judged using the same blind judging process. Teams compete for chicken and ribs awards, as well as Backyard Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors.
KCBS Membership Is Not Required
Teams do not have to be registered with or be members of the Kansas City Barbeque Society to enter and compete in either the Master Series or Backyard Series at the MoCo Smoke Show.
However, KCBS membership may be required for teams that want to earn KCBS Team of the Year points, receive certain KCBS rankings, or participate in specific championship and invitational opportunities. All teams must still register with the MoCo Smoke Show, pay the applicable competition fee, meet the eligibility requirements for their selected division, and follow KCBS competition rules.
