Spring in the Mississippi Delta means barbecue smoke, live music and festival energy. Que on the Yazoo returns Friday and Saturday, May 1–2, in downtown Greenwood. Front, Main and Howard Streets turn into a barbecue destination for Championship and Patio teams. Admission is free. Bring a chair, leave the cooler at home and come hungry.
Sanctioned by the Memphis Barbecue Network, Championship teams compete for points and a chance at the MBN Invitational. Patio teams cook for blind judging. Friday night categories include cocktail, baked beans, catfish, sauce, chicken and beef. Saturday highlights pork loin, pulled pork and ribs.
The weekend kicks off Friday at noon with Food Truck Friday and the cooks’ meeting at the Viking Training Center. Friday evening includes Fincher’s Spring Style Fashion Show and music from Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. Saturday features preliminary judging for whole hog, pulled pork and ribs. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors can join the People’s Choice Competition, tasting barbecue and voting for a favorite with a $5 wristband.
Greenwood Gourmet invites home cooks to showcase pimento cheese, chicken salad, comeback sauce, pickled vegetables, banana pudding or bread pudding. Entries are due Saturday by 1 p.m. Proceeds support the Community Kitchen. Winners are announced with the BBQ awards at 5 p.m.
Kids enjoy activities Saturday morning at Howard and Market, including ArtPlace Mississippi’s ArtZone, inflatables, giant Connect 4, a tsunami simulator and an obstacle course. The Pet Pawrade steps off at 11:45 a.m. See the schedule and register for competitions here.
Make it more than a weekend. Stay downtown at The Alluvian Hotel or nearby hotels. Explore local restaurants, shops, museums and the Viking Cooking School. Come for the smoke, stay for the stories and Find Your Beat from the Heart of the Delta.
