$6,500+ PRIZE POOL
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EVERY REGISTRATION HELPS GROW THE PURSE
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LIMITED TEAM SPACE
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$6,500+ PRIZE POOL • EVERY REGISTRATION HELPS GROW THE PURSE • LIMITED TEAM SPACE •
INAUGURAL URBAN BBQ COMPETITION
Fire up your smokers and bring your best BBQ to downtown Wheaton!
The inaugural MoCo Smoke Show is bringing a KCBS-sanctioned, urban parking-lot-style BBQ competition to the heart of Wheaton, Maryland, on October 17.
Compete for a growing prize pool of more than $6,500! Every team registration increases the prize pool and helps move the MoCo Smoke Show closer to becoming an official qualifier.
Competition space is limited. Register now and become part of an inaugural BBQ competition for the books!
October 17, 2026
2424 Reedie Drive
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Smoke, Flavor & Culture in the Heart of Wheaton
October 17
2026 Event Date
Downtown Wheaton
Maryland
KCBS Sanctioned
Competition
Family-Friendly
Community
A new signature BBQ event for Montgomery County.
WHAT IS IT?
The MoCo Smoke Show is not your ordinary BBQ competition. This inaugural KCBS-sanctioned event will deliver a true urban BBQ experience—smokers, teams, flavor, and fierce competition taking over the parking lots and streets of beautiful downtown Wheaton.
Whether you are a seasoned competition team, an experienced pitmaster, or a backyard BBQ contender ready to test your skills, this is your opportunity to make history with us.
The MoCo Smoke Show is designed as a flavorful community gathering where BBQ competition meets culture, music, local business, and family fun.
Be part of a BBQ competition for the books!
🔥 $6,500+ PRIZE POOL —AND GROWING! 🔥
GET INVOLVED
Choose your lane
BRING THE HEAT…
KCBS BBQ Competition
A showcase for pitmasters, backyard BBQ legends, and serious smoke masters ready to bring their best flavor to Montgomery County.
Food & Marketplace Vendors
Food vendors, local makers, community organizations, and small businesses can connect with festival guests throughout the day.
Sponsors & Partners
Support a high-energy community event with strong visibility, local impact, and meaningful cultural connection.
Entertainment, culture & family fun
The MoCo Smoke Show is more than a BBQ competition—it is a full-day celebration of food, music, culture, community, and the vibrant spirit of Wheaton.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment, local and regional performers, family-friendly activities, community experiences, food and marketplace vendors, and plenty of opportunities to connect with local businesses and organizations.
Whether you come to cheer on the pitmasters, enjoy great food, discover local vendors, or spend the day with family and friends, there will be something for everyone at the inaugural MoCo Smoke Show.
Additional entertainment announcements, activities, and schedule details are coming soon!
Experience the MoCo Smoke Show
More Than BBQ: Music, Flavor & Family Fun
Live music and entertainment
Food trucks and local food vendors
People’s Choice BBQ tasting and voting
Beer, wine, and spirits for guests ages 21 and older
Children’s activities and family-friendly fun
Local makers and marketplace vendors
Live KCBS BBQ competition action
Community organizations and interactive experiences
Opportunities to explore downtown Wheaton businesses
Photo opportunities and memorable Smoke Show moments
Great food, great music, and community celebration
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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The current prize pool is more than $6,500—and growing! Every additional team registration increases the prize pool.
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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.
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Teams will load in on Friday, October 16. Load in and parking details will be shared with registered teams.
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The MoCo Smoke Show is a KCBS-sanctioned, urban, parking-lot-style BBQ competition featuring Master Series and Backyard competition divisions.
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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.
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The MoCo Smoke Show will be held in beautiful downtown Wheaton at:
2424 Reedie Drive
Wheaton, Maryland 20902Competitors and guests can expect a distinctive urban, parking-lot-style BBQ experience in the heart of the Wheaton Triangle.
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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.
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Yes! We encourage teams to compete and vend. There is limited space. So, sign up today!
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Yes, we are actively looking for sponsors that would like to be part of this historic KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition.
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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.
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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.
Stay in the smoke loop.
Be the first to receive competition updates, vendor announcements, sponsor opportunities, and event details.
The MoCo Smoke Show
Presented by Kensington Juneteenth in partnership with the Wheaton Urban District
Wheaton, Maryland • October 17