Western PA BBQ Events Page
If there’s a BBQ festival or competition within 2-3 hours driving distance from the Pittsburgh area, you’ll find it here. Even a few with our neighboring states! If you have an event, contact us with the info and we’ll get you added.
There has been a lot of demand for local events celebrating BBQ but doesn’t fit in the “competition” or “festival” category. I will have a new section for those shortly. If you have an event, contact us with the info and we’ll make a spot for you. I appreciate all of the feedback!
THANKS FOR A GREAT 2018 SEASON!
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2018 BBQ Festival and Competition Schedule
First time checking out a festival? Here is when we visited “Grill Your Ace Off” last summer!
Please check each event for admission and competition details. Information current as of 9/22/2018.
If you are a Gmail user you can subscribe to the calendar.
= KCBS sanctioned event
May
5/5 – BBQ in The Valley (Jamestown, NY)5/18 to 20 – Clarion BBQ Festival (Clarion, PA)
5/30 to 6/2 – Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival (Erie, PA) 
June
5/30 to 6/2 – Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival (Erie, PA) 6/1 to 2 – Conquer The Grill (Coudersport, PA) Cancelled 20186/8 to 9 – Marietta River City BBQ (Marietta, OH) 6/15 to 16 – Almost Heaven BBQ Bash (Weston, WV) 6/16 to 17 – Franklin Blues & BBQ Festival (Franklin, PA)6/22 to 23 – Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Cookoff/Competition (Kersey, PA)6/22 to 24 – Pennsylvania RibFest (Greensburg, PA)TBD – Independence Day Rockin’ Rib Festival (Ohiopyle, PA)
July
TBD – Independence Day Rockin’ Rib Festival (Ohiopyle, PA)7/6 to 7 – Ceramic City Jazz, Blues, & BBQ Festival (East Liverpool, OH)7/7 – Kill the Grill (Benezette, PA)7/27 to 7/29 – 4th National RibFest at Paradise Park (Cowansville, PA)TBD – Brookville BBQ Bash (Brookville, PA) Cancelled 2018
August
8/3 to 5 – Seven Springs Mountain Resort Rib & Wing Festival8/25 – 4th Annual “Grill Your Ace Off” (West Newton, PA)8/30 to 9/3 – Heinz Field Rib Fest (Pittsburgh, PA)
September
8/30 to 9/3 – Heinz Field Rib Fest (Pittsburgh, PA)9/15 – Grill Fest (Hartville, OH)9/15 – 7th Annual Hopewell BBQ Cook-Off and Blues Fest (Hopewell, PA)9/21 to 23 – Oinktoberfest (Clarence, NY) 
9/22 – All Fired Up & Kickin’ Ash BBQ Competition (Emporium, PA)9/29 – Grill Your Steak Off (SCA National Qualifier – West Newton,PA)
PA State Championship
While this event is not in Western PA but in our state capital it is the last big event in PA for the year where you can flex your big BBQ muscles.
Keystone Classic BBQ State Championship
KCBS Sanctioned Event
October 5-6, 2018
Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
2300 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA