The first annual Mempho Presents SmokeSlam‘ BBQ Festival will be held Thursday, May 16th, through Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Tom Lee Park. Festivities announced today include musical performances by War, The Bar-Kays, Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage, and St. Paul and The Broken Bones.
Nearly 60 barbecue teams will compete for $250,000, and festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample dishes and enjoy fare from local food vendors. The official contest will culminate in an awards ceremony Saturday evening hosted by Michelle Buteau, comedian, actress, and host of Netflix’ BBQ Showdown.
“In our first year, we are proud to host a capacity roster of 59 incredible teams that are champions in many different circuits,” said Melzie Wilson, SmokeSlam Organizer, in a statement. “The competition will be fierce, and we have ensured that judging will be rigorous through our association with sanctioned bodies MBN and WFC. Our vision was to create an inclusive event, where every ticket felt like a VIP experience. SmokeSlam is where the BBQ enthusiast can mingle with festival-goers and go beyond the pits and smoke to a festival for the whole family, where shared passions transcend state lines.”
One-day general admission tickets are $24.99, and three-day general admission passes are $65. VIP tickets are $240 for one day and $599 for all three days.
All tickets include access to the NBBQA BBQ Bazaar featuring products from celebrity chefs as well as Q&As, and demos from Carey Bringle, Thyron Matthews, Ray Sheehan, Melissa Cookston, and many others. The Smokeslam Market will include more retail options including products from local businesses like Memphis Flavor and other barbecue must-haves.
For more information on the entertainment lineup and schedule, VIP experience, and other details, visit smokeslam.com.
