Rose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition

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Rose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition Established in 2000, Rose Festival BBQ is Iowa’s longest-running KCBS Master Series competition.

Located in the beautiful Rose Capital of Iowa, State Center, we’re celebrating 25 years of championship BBQ tradition in 2026.

06/22/2026

This contest would not happen smoothly without my friends and family that help! Niki Ayers has put in the most years with me. Crissy Kentopp would be second of years spent volunteering with me. My son has the longest years volunteering but some of this years were voluntold years🤣😊 I feel very blessed to have the new crew that stepped up to the plate for me. A few them been around a few years but this year they took on actual duties.

I can’t say this loud enough or proud enough that I am truly blessed with my BBQ CREW!

06/21/2026

🏆🎉 Rose Festival BBQ Crew would like to congratulate Hot Daddy's BBQ on being named our 2026 Grand Champion and Wags Backwoods BBQ on earning Reserve Grand Champion! 🎉🏆

But the celebrations don’t stop there!

One of the best parts of this year’s contest was seeing several new teams join us in State Center. Not only did they come to compete, but they also got to hear their names called during awards! That’s what makes this competition so special—seeing teams succeed, grow, and become part of the Rose Festival BBQ family.

We also want to give a very special thank you to Smokehouse 72. This year marked an incredible milestone as they celebrated 25 years of competing at Rose Festival BBQ right alongside us! Their continued support, friendship, and dedication have helped make this contest what it is today.

To every team, judge, volunteer, sponsor, and fan who helped make our 25th Annual Rose Festival BBQ Competition a success—THANK YOU! We couldn’t do it without you.

See you all next year in the Rose Capital of Iowa! 🌹🔥

06/19/2026

We will be at 20 teams if everyone shows up!!!!🌹🌹🌹🌹

🌹🔥 Rose Festival BBQ Team Spotlight – ’s Smokey D’s BBQ! 🔥🌹The Rose Festival BBQ competition just wouldn’t feel the same...
06/18/2026

🌹🔥 Rose Festival BBQ Team Spotlight – ’s Smokey D’s BBQ! 🔥🌹

The Rose Festival BBQ competition just wouldn’t feel the same without our Iowa locals, and we’re excited to welcome Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ back to State Center!
Darren has been a tremendous supporter of KCBS competitions throughout Iowa and is always a familiar face at contests across the state and country. Whether he brings the whole family or makes the trip himself, we’re always happy to see him pull into town.
In 2023, Darren walked away with the Grand Champion title at Rose Festival. Will he be able to reclaim the top spot in 2026? We’ll find out soon enough!

One thing we do know—this year’s awards are something a little different. 👀

P.S. The awards are a surprise this year, and I hope everyone likes them… and no, they are NOT all one color! 🏆

Thank you, Darren, for your continued support of Iowa BBQ and the Rose Festival BBQ Competition. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the pits this year!

🌹 Rose Festival Team Spotlight: BrewsCue Competition BBQ and Catering! 🌹Please help us welcome BrewsCue to Rose Festival...
06/18/2026

🌹 Rose Festival Team Spotlight: BrewsCue Competition BBQ and Catering! 🌹

Please help us welcome BrewsCue to Rose Festival BBQ for the very first time! We are excited they chose to add our contest to their schedule this year.

This team loves to hit the road and travel to competitions, and we’re honored that one of their stops this season is right here in the Rose Capital of Iowa. We can’t wait to see what they bring to the pits and hope they make plenty of new friends and great memories along the way.

Welcome to Rose Festival, BrewsCue! We’re glad you’re joining us for our 25th year of BBQ tradition! 🔥🌹🍖

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06/18/2026

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This is one of my favorite things to do for the teams and volunteers! Breakfast burritos! The egg cracker(my daughter) i...
06/17/2026

This is one of my favorite things to do for the teams and volunteers! Breakfast burritos! The egg cracker(my daughter) is already making the scrambled eggs!

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State Center, IA

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