Sturgis BBQ Fest will return to downtown

Michelle Patrick, Sturgis Journal
·2 min read

STURGIS — Sturgis BBQ Fest returns to downtown for the fourth time this weekend.

The event runs noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, primarily on North and John streets.

Sturgis Downtown Development Authority event coordinator Ryan Conrod said about a dozen barbecue competitors have signed up for the event.

Registration is still open through Friday, he said, and cost to compete is $50. Those interested may sign up at sturgisbbqfest.com or sturgisboxoffice.com.

Jake DeKoning of JD's BBQ of Portage tends to his chicken lollipops Oct. 2 at Sturgis Barbecue Fest. It was his first time at the Sturgis festival and only his second competition ever.
Jake DeKoning of JD's BBQ of Portage tends to his chicken lollipops Oct. 2 at Sturgis Barbecue Fest. It was his first time at the Sturgis festival and only his second competition ever.

Food sales will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and sample tickets are $1.

“Each competitor will have a jar at their table for People’s Choice awards,” Conrod said. “If you like someone’s barbecue, put some money in their jar. Once that’s tallied up is how we determine who the People’s Choice award winner is, by who has the most money in their jar.”

Some, but not all, competitors will be vendors as well, Conrod said.

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Judging begins at 2 p.m. and winners will be announced at about 3 p.m. Also at 3 p.m. is a beard and mustache contest.

“That’s a fun thing to watch,” Conrod said.

Sturgis BBQ Fest also has a number of other components. Beginning at noon will be a college football game on the big screen, featuring University of Michigan vs. Iowa. A DJ will play noon-4 p.m. and 16th Avenue Band will perform 4-7 p.m. A beer tent will be noon-7 p.m. and kids’ activities will be noon-5 p.m. A cornhole tournament will take place at 2 p.m., with 1 p.m. registration.

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Also featured is the final classic car cruise-in of the year, a farmers market and food truck vendors.

“There are quite a few things for people to enjoy,” Conrod said.

Contact reporter Michelle Patrick at mpatrick@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis BBQ Fest 2022 will return to downtown