What better way to spend Father's Day weekend than by getting the "meat sweats"?
In what's being called "America's biggest Father's Day BBQ," the Denver BBQ Fest will take over the former Sports Authority Field at Mile High, June 15–17, featuring award-winning and legendary pitmasters from around the country. And yes, they're slated to serve up to 18,000 pounds of meat!
WHEN: Fri., June 15 (preview party): 5 p.m.–9 p.m. | Sat., June 16: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Sun., June 17: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
WHERE: Mile High Stadium
COST: FREE admission Sat.–Sun. (BBQ, beverages, and VIP packages available for purchase)
Though admission to the festival is free on Saturday and Sunday, the barbecue (of course) is not! That means you can stroll along Pit Row, breathe in the heady aroma of smoked meat, and listen to live music to your heart's content. But to indulge in the mouth-watering barbecue itself (which, c'mon, that's what we're all there for!), it will cost you per plate -- unless you purchase an all-you-can-eat VIP pass with access to an open bar (prices start at $75). Tickets to the Friday preview party cost $125.
While one Colorado-based BBQ'er will be on-hand (Jason Ganahl from GQUE BBQ in Westminster), the other pitmasters will be coming from Tennessee, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, and Texas. In particular, you'll want to look for Food Network-famed The Shed BBQ, who will be bringing their famous baby back ribs and brisket all the way from Ocean Springs, Mississippi!
Other featured BBQ restaurants at the festival will include:
Peg Leg Porker (Nashville, TN)
Sugarfire Smokehouse (St. Louis, MO)
Pappy’s Smokehouse (St. Louis, MO)
Ponderosa BBQ (Des Moines, IA)
Memphis BBQ Company (Horn Lake, MI)
Ubon’s BBQ (Yazoo City, MI)
Salt Lick BBQ (Driftwood, TX)
Baker’s Ribs (Dallas, TX)
Even though admission is free, organizers of the Denver BBQ Festival are asking for a rough headcount via this online form, to make sure that 18,000 pounds of meat will be enough for Denver's barbecue-lovin' populace. (Um, it won't be.) Even so, add your name to the list, buy VIP tickets if you want, and mark your calendar for Denver's biggest barbecue event of the year!
The Denver BBQ Festival is being brought to the city by Eximius Productions, the brainchild behind Q in the Lou, St. Louis's famous barbecue event. For more information, check out the Denver BBQ Festival website.
Do you plan to go? I think it sounds like a great way to spend Father's Day! Tell us what YOUR fave local BBQ joint is, and let's get the conversation started in the comments below!