Did you know there’s a Wichita-area BBQ festival this weekend? Here are details
The smells of barbecue and sounds of live music are set to fill Derby this weekend as the Wichita suburb prepares to put on the annual Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Fest.
The festival, at High Park in Derby, will be held 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 12, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday June 13. Admission is free; attendees can purchase food and drinks. Dogs are welcome to attend the festival as long as they’re on a leash, the website says.
So, what can you expect from the Derby festival? We put together a quick guide on this weekend’s events so you can come prepared. Here’s what to know.
What musical acts will I see?
The festival will feature four musical acts — including Derby native and The Voice Season 27 runner-up Jaelen Johnston, who will close out the festival on the main stage from 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
“With a voice full of grit, soul, and raw emotion, (Johnston) brings an outlaw country sound shaped by real-life stories and Midwest roots,” Derby’s BBQ fest website reads.
Derby-born band Nailbiters will open the festival at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by the 80s cover band Paramount at 8 p.m. Matthew Ebberwein will perform on Saturday at 6 p.m. before Johnston.
The city is encouraging everyone to bring their own lawn chairs.
Will there be more food than just BBQ?
Yes. There will be a variety of food trucks for attendees to enjoy. Here’s a list, from the festival’s website:
- Bongo Fruit Smoothies
- Carne Asada Jalisco
- DZ Icecream & Frozen Treats
- First Man Brewery
- J & S Smoked Snacks
- Num Nums
- Shaken or Stirred
- Shurley Concessions
- Spicy J’s Seasonings
- Sweet Swig
- Taco’s Food Truck
- Taters ‘N’ Toppings
- The Burnt End by Chef & Smoker
- Three Stooges
For those who want BBQ, attendees will have the opportunity to judge in the People’s Choice Competition at 7 p.m. on Friday. For $5, people will get six samples of pulled pork to judge.
How many food competitions are there?
There are five competitions throughout the weekend — the KCBS Master Series BBQ Competition (judging chicken, ribs, pork and brisket), the Backyard BBQ competition (judging chicken and pork ribs), the KCBS People’s Choice Competition (judging pulled pork), the KCBS Kids Que (judging two age groups 6 to 10 and 11 to 15) and the Ancillary Pie and Cookie Competition.
Where can I park?
Attendees can park in the paved parking lots in High Park. ADA parking can be found next to Zimmerman Shelter.
What other events will the festival feature?
Food and music are only a sample of what the festival is offering this weekend.
The Smokin’ 5K Race will be held on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Everyone who completes the race will receive a finisher’s medal and there will be awards for overall female and male, as well as age group awards. You can still register on the festival’s website.
There will also be a cornhole tournament on Friday at 6 p.m. and a pickleball tournament on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration for both tournaments closed June 10.
What about entertainment for my kids?
The festival will feature a Kid’s Corner with family-friendly entertainment including face painting, inflatables, princesses and even a chance to meet and take pictures with the Wichita Thunder mascot T-Dog on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
You can find more information on the festival’s website.
