The smell of slow-smoked barbecue and the sound of live bluegrass music will fill the Washakie County Fairgrounds when the 22nd annual Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival returns to Worland on Friday and Saturday, August 14–15, 2026.
One of Worland’s biggest annual celebrations, the free festival draws nearly 2,000 spectators and more than 25 competitive barbecue teams. Cooks will compete for $15,000 in prizes while preparing brisket, ribs, pork, chicken and other specialties.
The main festival begins Friday evening, but the celebration gets an early start with Brewfest from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, August 13. Adults 21 and older can purchase a $30 wristband for unlimited craft beer samples. Identification is required. Bratwurst, pork sandwiches and nonalcoholic drinks will also be available for purchase, and the event is family-friendly.
Friday Night: Kids Q and Live Bluegrass
The festival grounds open at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Bluegrass music begins at 6 p.m., with performances scheduled from three regional bands:
- Release the Squirrels from 6 to 7 p.m.
- North Fork Crossing from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
- Hillbilly Fever from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Young cooks will get their own opportunity to compete during the Kids Q at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The youth competition will be held near the covered eating area on the south side of the big red barn.
A Kid Zone will also offer family-friendly activities during the festival. Admission to the festival is free, although some children’s activities may charge a nominal fee.
A Full Saturday at the Fairgrounds
Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast next to the stage from 7 to 9 a.m. Registration for the Bluegrass 5K Walk and Run opens at 7:30 a.m., with the race beginning at 8.
Classic and custom vehicles will be on display during the festival car show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fairgrounds parking arena.
The barbecue competition officially begins at noon, while live music returns at 12:30 p.m. Release the Squirrels, North Fork Crossing and Hillbilly Fever will each perform twice throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Kids Q and barbecue awards will be presented onstage from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Music will continue until 8:30 p.m., and the festival grounds will close at 10 p.m.
Sample the Competition at People’s Choice
Festival visitors who want to do more than smell the competition can participate in the People’s Choice Award from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Saturday.
Participating barbecue teams will provide samples of a selected meat, and ticket holders can taste the entries before voting for their favorite. People’s Choice tickets cost $25 and must be purchased at the information booth. Proceeds will be donated to charity.
Tickets are limited, and not every competition team participates, so visitors interested in sampling should purchase theirs early.
What to Know Before You Go
The Washakie County Fairgrounds offers a spacious grassy setting surrounded by shade trees, but visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
Pets are not allowed at the festival. The event also prohibits tobacco products on fairgrounds property; barbecue smoking is the only smoking permitted.
Admission remains free, but all food, drinks and vendor purchases must be made using “Bone Bucks.” Festival currency can be purchased at two onsite Pinnacle Bank locations.
Unused Bone Bucks may be exchanged for cash before the festival closes. They cannot be redeemed afterward, although visitors may save them for the following year or donate them back to the festival.
The Washakie County Fairgrounds are located at 501 15 Mile Road, northwest of Worland. From U.S. Highway 16/20, turn onto Wyoming Highway 433 and follow the route to the fairgrounds.
With championship barbecue, live bluegrass, a car show, children’s activities, a 5K and plenty of opportunities to gather with friends, the festival offers a full weekend of summer fun in the heart of the Bighorn Basin. Visitors can find updates, registration information and additional details on the official festival website.
Bighorn Basin Explorer 
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