Salute to Smoke BBQ Showdown & Veterans Day Celebration
Fire up the pits and kick off Veterans Day weekend with us at the Salute to Smoke BBQ Showdown & Veterans Day Celebration!
This two-day, family-friendly event will bring together championship BBQ teams, veterans, military families, local businesses, and the Central Texas community for a weekend filled with great BBQ, live entertainment, friendly competition, and patriotic celebration.
Weekend Highlights
IBCA-Sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off
Veterans Day Celebration & Recognition
Live Music, DJ & Entertainment
Friday Night Karaoke
Margarita Competition
Vendor Market
Flash Tattoos by Flying Dragon Tattoos
Veteran & Sponsor Recognition
Raffles & Giveaways
Holiday Toy Drive
Don't miss your chance to win our YETI COOLER BUNDLE or 2 ROUND-TRIP jetBlue Tickets to anywhere jetBlue travels. Purchase your Raffle tickets below.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, November 6
12:00 PM – Canteen Open, BBQ Competitor Check-In Begins
4:00–6:00 PM – Competitor Tray Pickup
6:00 PM – Cooks Meeting
6:00–10:00 PM – Karaoke with DJ Al Ayala
7:00 PM – Margarita Competition
Come out Friday night, meet the teams, enjoy karaoke, and help us kick off a full weekend of BBQ and fun!
Saturday, November 7
9:00 AM–4:00 PM – Vendor Market
10:00 AM – Opening Ceremony with Veteran & Sponsor Recognition
10:00 AM–6:00 PM – Flash Tattoos by Flying Dragon Tattoos
All Day – Live Music & DJ
5:00 PM – Raffle Winner Announcements! YETI Cooler Bundle & JetBlue Roundtrip Travel
BBQ Competition Turn-In Times
11:00 AM – Beans
12:00 PM – Chicken
1:30 PM – Pork Spareribs
3:00 PM – Brisket
4:30 PM – Awards Ceremony
Come watch some of the best BBQ teams around battle it out for bragging rights and see who takes home the trophies!
BBQ With a Mission
Salute to Smoke is about much more than BBQ.
Proceeds from the event will help VFW Post 8787 support soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division deployed overseas and their families back home, including care packages for deployed service members and holiday assistance for their families. Funds raised will also help strengthen the Post's ongoing efforts to provide resources, programs, and support for veterans and military families in our community.
Whether you're celebrating Veterans Day Weekend, competing for the trophy, coming out for the BBQ, getting a flash tattoo, singing karaoke, shopping local vendors, or simply showing your support for those who serve—there's a place for everyone at Salute to Smoke.
Come hungry. Bring the family. Support our troops and veterans. And help us bring a Central Texas BBQ tradition back to life!
BBQ. Community. Service.
