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calendar of Events, contests, & classes

Search for events by name or by key words, such as: "backyard", "masters", "steak", "kcbs", "class", etc.

Upcoming events

    • 18 Jan 2026
    • 9 May 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    Register

    Please use this form to sign up for the MN Team of the Year Points Chase for 2026.

    • You must be a current MBS member to sign up for TOY. 
    • You must be a current MBS member when points are tabulated at the end of the season.
    • Points will only be collected from one KCBS number. If you do not have a KCBS number, your MBS member number will be used for tracking. 
    • Competitions under additional IDs will not be counted. 
    • Points can not be combined from multiple KCBS IDs.
    • You cannot accrue points for both divisions...you must choose to compete in either Backyard or Masters.
    • We will use the list of registrants to pull scores and tabulate the Team of the Year standings. 
    • Final registration deadline is May 9th at 11:00 AM. prior to turn ins at Minnesota in May. 

    The contests that qualify for TOY points for 2026 are listed at the following link:

    MN TOY Contests


    • 25 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • University of Minnesota • Andrew Boss Meat Lab St Paul Campus
    • 30
    Register

    No photo description available.Minnesota Barbecue Society   University of Minnesota

     BACK TO BASICS – BBQ SPRING TRAINING

     DATE CHANGE--- Saturday, April 25, 2026 

    University of Minnesota • Andrew Boss Meat Lab St Paul Campus
    8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Cost: $199.00 per student

    Real BBQ, Real Fun

    New to BBQ? You're in the right place!

    If you’ve always wanted to get into grilling but never knew where to start, this workshop is for you. We’ll walk you through the basics, help you feel comfortable around the grill, and make sure you’re having a good time while you learn.

    Real BBQ, Real Fun

    Learn From People Who Really Know Their BBQ

    Our pitmasters will break it down in a simple, fun way:

    • How different grills and fuels work
    • Understanding rubs + seasoning
    • Keeping meat tender, juicy, and flavorful

    No fancy jargon—just real tips that make BBQ easier (and way more delicious!).

    Real BBQ, Real Fun

    Try It Out + Friendly Competition

    You’ll even get the chance to talk meat with Dr. Cox, professor of the meat lab, about how to pick a steak!

    Once you’ve learned the basics, put your skills to the test in a relaxed steak-grilling and rib-smoking challenge. It’s all in good fun—and a great way to meet other BBQ lovers.

    Real BBQ, Real Fun

    Zero Experience Needed

    Seriously—none.

    We guide you step-by-step in a hands-on, super‑welcoming environment. You’ll go home confident and ready to fire up your own grill.

    Real BBQ, Real Fun

    Come Hang Out, Learn BBQ Basics, and Have a Great Time!
    • 7 May 2026
    • 7:00 AM
    • 10 May 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • 400 Union St, St Peter, MN 56082 (Nicollet County Fairground)
    • 19
    Register

    MN in May 2026 Volunteer


    For the Minnesota in May contest this year we are looking for volunteers to help make our event great!  We have several jobs that need to be performed such as helping with the Kids-Q, single Meat contest, parking, setup of the grounds and rooms, trash, working in the Judge’s area, and more!. We have roles for all our events. It's a great opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes on BBQ events. 

    No experience necessary. Roles for all physical levels.

    Openings for:

    • Thursday - Set up at the Fairgrounds, and evening event.
    • Friday - Help with set up, Load in/ Parking of competition teams, Help with evening competitions, General helping with supporting teams and contest.
    • Saturday - Helping with the contests, team parking, team support, and general contest duties.
    • Sunday - General clean up of the grounds

    We have suggested times on the sign up form, but feel free to make any notes regarding availability in the Notes section (for example, if shift says 4pm, but you are able to arrive at 5pm). If you have role preferences, feel free to note that as well.

    If you’d like to help, sign up for a shift or two.  We will notify you on what job you have and confirm the time. 

    We look forward to you joining us!

    • 8 May 2026
    • 6:00 AM
    • 9 May 2026
    • 5:30 PM
    • St Peter, MN
    • 20
    Register

    KCBS Series Competition

             


    Join us for MN in May 2026

    A Master Series BWC World Cup Qualifier!

    May 8 - 9

    St. Peter, MN - Nicollet Co. Fairgrounds

    MN TOY 2026 Qualifier

    $14,000 Prize purse

    ENTRY FEE-Masters: $325

    ENTRY FEE-backyard: $175

    Standard 4-meat format for the masters KCBS event on Saturday.

    Standard 2-meat format for the backyard KCBS event on Saturday.

    See below for Prize Payouts

    KCBS_MASTER_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf

    KCBS_BACKYARD_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf


    Electric not Included in the registration fee, must select electric needs  as an add-on to hook up to power Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Power is somewhat limited and will be assigned as first come/first serve.


    Add-On Competitions:

    KCBS Rib Challenge - $100

    Kid's Que Challenge - $0   More details on proteins coming soon.


    Add-on Electricity:

    $55 for the event

    Prize Payout for KCBS Master's Series

    $11,500 in prize money to pay 1st through 10th place. 

    Masters Series

    Grand Champion:  $1,300

    Reserve Champion: $650

    3rd place Overall $350

    4th place Overall $275

    5th place Overall $200

    6th - 10th place $125


    Chicken, ribs, pork and brisket :

    1st place:  $500

    2nd place:  $400

    3rd place:  $300

    4th place:  $200

    5th place:  $125

    6th - 10th place: $100


    Prize Payout for KCBS backyard Series

    $2,500 in prize money to pay 1st through 10th place. 

    backyard Series

    Grand Champion:  $500

    Reserve Champion: $300

    3rd place Overall $175

    4th place Overall $125

    5th place Overall $100

    Chicken, ribs:

    1st place:  $100

    2nd place:  $90

    3rd place:  $80

    4th place:  $70

    5th place:  $60

    6th - 10th place: $50


    Rib Challenge

    $1,000 in prize money to pay 1st through 5th place. 
    1st: $425
    2nd: $200
    3rd: $150
    4th: $125

    5th: $100


    • 8 May 2026
    • 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • St Peter, MN
    • 25
    Register

    Kid's Que Challenge 

    Let's see your kids Que up something great!

    Cost $0

    All kids under the age of 16 are invited to join the Kid's Que Challenge. There will be two age groups set up for this competition; 10 and under (KidsQ) and 11 -16 (JuniorQ). 

    The younger kids will prepare, cook, and box their entries from their sponsor teams' site. Parents should let the kids do as much as they are capable of, given age and abilities.

    JuniorQ contestants will prepare, cook, and box their entries from their sponsor teams' site. Parents can encourage their children, but cannot help/do any of the cooking. Each entry shall be cooked by one child only. The JuniorQ contestant must do the preparation, cooking, and presentation. Volunteers will be available to help as necessary.

    Multiple kids from the same family may enter the contest.

    KCBS_Youth_BBQ_Rules_2026_FINAL.pdf

    KidsQ Prize Pay Out

    (prizes in both age groups)

    1st Place  - $50

    2nd Place  - $25

    3rd Place - Certificate

    • 8 May 2026
    • 3:00 PM
    • 9 May 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • Nicollet County Fair 400 W Union St, Saint Peter, MN 56082
    Register

    MN in May 2026

    Judging

    Judge's Tent Volunteers


    Please use this registration form if you would like to be a:

    • Judge
    • Judge Tent Volunteer

    We are looking for volunteer judges and table captains for both the KCBS Masters Series competition and the KCBS Sanctioned Backyard competition on Saturday. We are also looking for judges for the Friday night add-on contests.

    We are committed to seating as many people as possible. As with all contests, the total number of judges needed will fluctuate based on the number of teams competing. Sign up does not guarantee placement. We will not be assigning judges until we have the majority of the teams registered.

    2 weeks prior to the event, you will be receiving further instructions on arrival time and participation information. 

    If you need to cancel prior to the event, you may return to this event page and cancel your registration or contact us.

    There are limited camper sites available for non-competitors. These sites are without electricity or water. Please contact the coordinator if you would like to camp at the event.

    We hope you will join us! 

    • 8 May 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • St Peter, MN
    • 100
    Register




    Join us for MN in May 2026

    MN TOY 2026 Qualifier - One Meat Contest

    Use this form to register for the add-on Rib contest. This is not a entry for the full contest on saturday.

    Add On Competitions - Friday evening May 8th, 2026:

    Rules for the One Meat Rib contest will follow the same guidelines found in the attached document regarding Pork Ribs.

    KCBS_BACKYARD_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf


    One-Meat (Ribs)  Competition - $100


    *If only cooking the One Meat Rib contest or Turkey Smoke power is not provided. If you need power, please reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate.


    Prize Payout for One Meat - Ribs

    $1,000 in prize money to pay 1st through 5th place. 

      1st: $425

      2nd: $200

      3rd: $150

      4th: $125

      5th: $100


    Past events

    17 Jan 2026 2026 Annual MBS Banquet
    27 Sep 2025 Ribs For The Ribbon
    27 Sep 2025 IWP Backyard BBQ Showdown
    13 Sep 2025 LIVIN Music Festival 2025
    29 Aug 2025 South Dakota BBQ Shootout
    23 Aug 2025 MN Masters BBQ
    16 Aug 2025 Boomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff 2025
    9 Aug 2025 Smokin' Pulled Pork Cook Off
    25 Jul 2025 Halfway to St.Pat's - Masters Series
    11 Jul 2025 KTD Smokin' Gobbler - Masters
    27 Jun 2025 Art of the Que - Masters & Backyard
    21 Jun 2025 Pitmasters on the Prairie
    13 Jun 2025 Bring'n Home the Bacon, 2025 - Masters & Backyard Double
    30 May 2025 Smokin' in Steele - Masters & Backyard
    16 May 2025 King of the Corn
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Beans
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Friday One Meat - Ribs
    9 May 2025 Contest Judging & Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May 2025
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Turkey Smoke
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Kid's Que Challenge
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Master's Series Contest
    9 May 2025 MN in May 2025 - Backyard Series Contest
    8 May 2025 MN in May 2025 Volunteer
    26 Apr 2025 Smoke and Fire BBQ Contest
    18 Jan 2025 2025 Annual MBS Banquet
    28 Sep 2024 Ribs For The Ribbon
    14 Sep 2024 LIVIN Music Festival 2024
    24 Aug 2024 MN Masters BBQ
    17 Aug 2024 Boomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff 2024
    26 Jul 2024 Halfway to St.Pat's - Masters Series
    6 Jul 2024 Smoke and Fire BBQ Contest
    28 Jun 2024 Art of the Que - Masters & Backyard
    22 Jun 2024 Mankato Brewery's BBQ & Brew-Ha
    7 Jun 2024 Bring'n Home the Bacon I, 2024 - Masters & Backyard Double
    31 May 2024 Smokin' in Steele - Masters & Backyard
    11 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Backyard Pork Ancillary
    10 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Friday One Meat - Ribs
    10 May 2024 Contest Judging & Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May 2024
    10 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Compart Kid's Que Challenge
    10 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Turkey Smoke
    10 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Backyard Contest
    10 May 2024 MN in May 2024 - Master's Series Contest
    9 May 2024 MN in May 2024 Volunteer
    19 Apr 2024 CANCELED- Spring Training Goes Whole Hog and Beyond
    6 Apr 2024 2024 KCBS Judges & Table Captain Class
    31 Dec 2023 MN Team of the Year 2024 Points Chase Sign Up
    13 Oct 2023 Bring'n Home the Bacon II, 2023 - Masters & Backyard
    30 Sep 2023 Smokin' at Schell's BBQ Contest
    23 Sep 2023 Ribs For The Ribbon
    16 Sep 2023 LIVIN Music Festival 2023
    9 Sep 2023 Bent Brewstillery BBQ Contest
    26 Aug 2023 Walkin' Wings
    19 Aug 2023 Boomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff
    12 Aug 2023 2023 SMOKiN’ PULLED PORK COOK-OFF
    28 Jul 2023 7th Annual Eburg BBQ Contest - Masters
    22 Jul 2023 Fillmore County Fair BBQ Cook Off - Backyard
    14 Jul 2023 KTD Smokin' Gobbler - Masters
    8 Jul 2023 Art of the Que - Masters & Backyard
    9 Jun 2023 Bring'n Home the Bacon I, 2023 - Masters & Backyard Double
    2 Jun 2023 Smokin' in Steele - Masters & Backyard
    13 May 2023 MN in May 2023 - Backyard Contest
    12 May 2023 MN in May 2023 - Compart Kid's Que Challenge
    12 May 2023 MN in May 2023 - Turkey Smoke
    12 May 2023 MN in May 2023 - Master's Series Contest
    12 May 2023 MN in May 2023 - Friday One Meat - Ribs
    12 May 2023 MN in May 2023 Volunteer
    11 May 2023 2023 KCBS Judges Class
    11 May 2023 Contest Judging & Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May 2023
    13 Mar 2023 MN Team of the Year 2023 Points Chase Sign Up
    4 Feb 2023 United We Shiver BBQ Tournament
    28 Jan 2023 2023 Annual MBS Banquet
    1 Dec 2022 Annual Banquet - Donation 2023
    14 Oct 2022 Bring'n Home the Bacon II - Backyard (Double)
    2 Oct 2022 Grill Your ACE Off - Lakers Backyard Pitmaster
    24 Sep 2022 Patriot Lanes Bar and Grill
    24 Sep 2022 Ribs For The Ribbon
    16 Sep 2022 LIVIN Music Festival 2022
    10 Sep 2022 Bent Brewstillery BBQ Contest
    10 Sep 2022 Annandale Youth First Bbq Competition
    27 Aug 2022 Zimmerman Legion 7th Annual Rib Fest
    20 Aug 2022 Boomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff
    20 Aug 2022 Rockin' Ribfest
    12 Aug 2022 BELIA Smokin' Pulled Pork Cook off
    6 Aug 2022 B-Dale BBQ Contest
    30 Jul 2022 Ribfest
    30 Jul 2022 Nashwauk Market RibFest
    27 Jul 2022 July Board Meeting
    23 Jul 2022 Fillmore County Fair BBQ Cook Off
    16 Jul 2022 Bourbon Brews and BBQ
    16 Jul 2022 Sunrise 2nd Annual Rib Contest
    15 Jul 2022 KTD Smokin' Gobbler
    9 Jul 2022 Bands and BBQ
    18 Jun 2022 June Fest Rib & Wing cook-off
    10 Jun 2022 Bring'n Home the Bacon I - Masters (Double)
    10 Jun 2022 Bring'n Home the Bacon I - Backyard
    4 Jun 2022 Smokin in Steele BBQ and Blues - Backyard Contest
    3 Jun 2022 Smokin' in Steele - Masters
    21 May 2022 Ham Lake Lanes Rib Cook Off
    20 May 2022 Plant Yourself in Gaylord
    14 May 2022 Contest Judge, Table Captain, Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May 2022
    14 May 2022 MN in May 2022 - Backyard Contest
    13 May 2022 MN in May 2022 - Compart Kid's Que Challenge
    13 May 2022 MN in May 2022 - Friday One Meat - Ribs
    13 May 2022 MN in May 2022 - Master's Series Contest
    12 May 2022 KCBS Judge Class 2022
    12 May 2022 KCBS Table Captain Class 2022
    12 May 2022 MN in May 2022: Camping Add-On
    12 May 2022 MN in May 2022 Volunteer
    29 Apr 2022 BBQ 301 Class
    9 Apr 2022 BHTB Judge and Table Captain Class
    2 Apr 2022 2022 Spring Training
    29 Jan 2022 2022 Annual MBS Banquet
    1 Jan 2022 MN Team of the Year Points Chase Sign Up
    1 Dec 2021 Annual Banquet Donations
    15 Oct 2021 Bring'n Home the Bacon II - Backyard (Double)
    25 Sep 2021 Ribs for the Ribbon
    18 Sep 2021 #LIVIN Music Festival & Backyard Comp
    11 Sep 2021 Youth First Rib Competition (Backyard competition)
    11 Sep 2021 3BC Backyard Rib Competition
    11 Sep 2021 Smoke your ACE off
    11 Sep 2021 Youth first rib competition
    22 Aug 2021 Big Island BBQ (BIB) - Backyard
    21 Aug 2021 Boomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff
    21 Aug 2021 Rockin' Ribfest Oneway Festival
    20 Aug 2021 Big Island BBQ - Masters Series
    7 Aug 2021 B-Dale BBQ Contest
    7 Aug 2021 Dennison Days BBQ Contest
    24 Jul 2021 Fillmore County Fair BBQ Cook Off
    16 Jul 2021 KTD Smokin' Gobbler Cook Off
    16 Jul 2021 Deer River BBQ & Brew Fest
    20 Jun 2021 Rigs & Pigs Backyard BBQ Cook-Off
    11 Jun 2021 Bring'n Home the Bacon - Backyard (Double)
    11 Jun 2021 Bring'n Home the Bacon - Masters (Double)
    5 Jun 2021 BBQ and Brew Cook Off
    30 May 2021 Wild West Days Rib 2021 Cook Off
    22 May 2021 Mad May BBQ
    8 May 2021 Contest Judge, Table Captain, Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May
    8 May 2021 MN in May - Backyard Contest
    7 May 2021 MN in May - Compart Kid's Que Challenge
    7 May 2021 MN in May - Master's Series Contest
    7 May 2021 MN in May - Friday One Meat - Ribs
    6 May 2021 KCBS Judge Class
    6 May 2021 MN in May: Camping Add-On
    6 May 2021 MN in May Volunteer
    27 Mar 2021 Annual MBS Banquet
    6 Mar 2021 Member Class: Tell All Chicken and Ribs
    26 Jan 2021 Board Meeting - Annual Meeting
    1 Jan 2021 Banquet Donations
    16 Dec 2020 Annual Elections
    16 Dec 2020 December Board Meeting

    The Minnesota BBQ Society is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the art of outdoor cooking.

    © 2021 Minnesota BBQ Society


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