International Bar-B-Q Festival facts for kids
The International Bar-B-Q Festival is a super fun event held every year in Owensboro, Kentucky. It usually happens on the second weekend in May and has been a tradition since 1979!
This festival is a great chance to try many different kinds of delicious barbecued meats. You can find tasty chicken, mutton (which is meat from sheep), and even a special stew called burgoo.
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What is the International Bar-B-Q Festival?
The International Bar-B-Q Festival is a big celebration of food and fun. It brings together people from all over to enjoy amazing barbecue and other exciting activities. It's a popular event that many people look forward to each year.
Delicious Barbecue and More
At the heart of the festival is, of course, the barbecue! Different cooking teams work hard to make their best barbecue dishes. You can taste many kinds of smoked meats, from tender chicken to unique mutton. Don't forget to try burgoo, a thick and yummy stew often made with different meats and vegetables.
The Governor's Cup Competition
One of the most exciting parts of the festival is the cooking competition. Teams show off their barbecue skills, hoping to win a special award called the Governor's Cup. This cup is given to the team that judges decide has the very best barbecue food. It's a big honor for the winning cooks!
Fun Activities for Everyone
Besides all the tasty food, the festival offers lots of other entertainment. You can watch or even join in on square dancing, which is a traditional dance style. There are also live musical performances to enjoy. If you like unique handmade items, you'll find many cool things at the arts and crafts booths.
Festival History and Changes
The International Bar-B-Q Festival started way back in 1979. It has grown a lot since then! In 2006, it was expected that about 85,000 people would visit the festival. That's a huge crowd!
In 2020, the festival had to pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn't happen that year to keep everyone safe. But it came back in May 2021 with new rules. These rules included things like social distancing and wearing masks to help keep people healthy while they enjoyed the festival.