New Jersey State Barbecue Championship

05/14/2026

Going to be a smokin’ hot weekend on Olde New Jersey Ave in July!

Headlining the Anglesea Blues Festival Friday night MainStage—Tommy Conwell & the House Rockers. 7:30-10:30pm. July 10.

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers broke onto the Philadelphia music scene in 1984 debuting at JC Dobbs at 3rd and South. Conwell, born in East Falls and raised in Bala Cynwyd, quickly rose to the top of the Philly rock 'n' roll food chain by providing long, sweaty, bluesy, and often transcendent shows that audiences ate up as something different from what they were being offered elsewhere. Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers made the hugely popular independent album Walking on the Water in 1987 and two albums for Columbia records, 1988's Rumble and 1990's Guitar Trouble. Rumble yielded a number one hit on the Billboard Album Rock chart, I'm Not Your Man. It was around this time that The Young Rumblers were featured in Rolling Stone magazine and appeared on Dick Clark's American Music Awards, Late Night with David Letterman, and the Arsenio Hall Show. The nineties saw Tommy leading Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings, an outrageous blues/punk/jazz/rock 'n' roll audacity and playing guitar in the loud power pop juggernaut Buzz Zeemer.

Tommy Conwell and the House Rockers promises to bring a bluesy Philly style to the Anglesea Blues Festival in a show you don’t want to miss!

05/04/2026

First of our 2026 MainStage announcements!! Who is ready for some BBQ and Blues?!!!

Kicking off the 2026 Anglesea Blues Festival MainStage—Dave Orban and the Mojo Gypsies, Friday July 10 4-7pm!!!

Led by New Jersey Blues Hall of Fame inductee Dave Orban on guitar and vocals, the Gypsies feature Mike Scott on tenor sax; Mike Cruse on bass, and Mark Shewchuk on drums. Playing an eclectic mix of up-tempo, sax-centric jazz-infused blues and old-school R&B — The Mojo Gypsies fuse jazz sensibility, deep-blues roots, and original songwriting into a sound that’s anything but predictable.

And make no mistake: They’re not your father’s blues band™!

04/17/2026

Well deserved!!

We certainly think he's worthy of this accolade! Learn more about Big Joe's contributions to the great Garden State and the other nominees on this year's ballot.

04/17/2026

Vendors beware. All food vendor spaces for the 2026 event are full. If you are being contacted by anyone other than NJBBQ.com, it’s a scam.

07/14/2025

Congratulations to
Pig Candy Barbeque Co of Ivyland, PA.
The 2025 New Jersey State Barbecue Champions!!

06/29/2025

This July, New Jersey comes alive with festivals, from the smoky BBQ competition in Wildwood to vibrant Caribbean flavors in Camden, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

06/26/2025

New Jersey may not be a heralded barbecue destination, but it is a melting pot of traditions that creates unique flavors.

06/26/2025

Mouthwatering Barbecue, Smokin' Hot Blues, and much, much more! July 11-13, 2025. North Wildwood, NJ. Celebrating our 27th Year!!! The best little Barbecue Festival on the East Coast!!! Come Hungry!

New Jersey State Barbecue Championship™ July 11-13th, 2025 EVENT HOURS Friday 4-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-6pm Mouth watering ribs, chicken, brisket and pork, masterfully marinated and seasoned, then smoked for hours to the point of perfection. This ain't just grilling, this is art!

06/22/2025

Did you know every year over 65 Pitmaster teams compete for the title of New Jersey State Barbecue Grand Champion? Our 2025 total cash prize purse is $12,875! Come see who will be the 2025 Grand Champion July 11-13 in North Wildwood!!

05/06/2025

SNEAK PREVIEW . . . Here is the first look at this year's New Jersey State Barbecue Championship souvenir T-shirt. Shirts will be on sale only at the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival on July 11th - 13th, 2025, at 2nd and Old New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood, NJ.