Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau Newsletter

Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival is Cooking in Jefferson City

Come join barbecue specialists from across the country as they compete in Jefferson City’s largest barbecue competition, the Capital City Cook Off.  On April 16 and 17 at the Jefferson City Jaycee’s Cole County Fairgrounds, approximately 70 teams will participate in this Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned contest.            

The two day event kicks off on Friday evening with a Buck-A-Bone event from 5-9 p.m.  Buck-A-Bone is a competition among local, amateur barbecue fans during which the general public is invited to taste test dozens of different types of ribs. The beer garden opens at 5 p.m. and live music by Jason Luebbering and Turnstyle will be playing from 6-9 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at Scruggs Lumber and Zesto South and must be purchased in advance. 

Saturday during the professional barbecue competition, the bluegrass festival begins.  The fairgrounds will be filled with the soothing sounds of some of Missouri’s finest bluegrass groups including Summit Grass, Rowden and Withers, and the Martin Family.  Starting at 11 a.m. and playing until 3 p.m., these bands will entertain with the harmonious sounds of banjos, fiddles, guitars and mandolins.  Each band will play two sets throughout the day. 

This is the fourth annual Capital City Cookoff, but the Bluegrass Festival was just added to the event last year. 

“What goes together better than bluegrass music and barbecue?,” said Greg Bowman, event organizer. “We wanted to provide fun and enjoyable entertainment for the public on Saturday and bluegrass music seemed like the perfect complement to delicious barbecue.” 

Admission for the bluegrass festival is $5 and also allows attendees to judge the “People’s Choice” pulled pork competition.  

For a complete schedule of events go to www.capitalcitycookoff.com.