June 5-8, 2025

Backyard BBQ and Chili Challenge

people in line to get bbq

Backyard BBQ People's Choice Competition

Anyone can compete in the Backyard BBQ People's Choice Competition Saturday, June 8! You do not have to compete in the KCBS portion of the event to register for the Backyard BBQ Competition.

The people's choice tasting event is from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm. Tasting cost is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Come taste all the mouth watering BBQ!

The Backyard BBQ People's Choice Competition is open to everyone! There are no limitations to what you can use to grill!

Contest Details:

  • $20 entry fee (free to competitors in the KCBS contest)
  • Cash prizes in each division
  • People's Choice: 1st place-$125, 2nd place-$75, 3rd place-$50
  • Judged: 1st place-$150, 2nd place-$50, 3rd place-$25
  • Two methods of judging: people's choice and blind

Past Backyard BBQ meats have been:

  • Skin-on raw turkey breast lobe sponsored by Dakota Provisions
  • Brisket sponsored by C&C Cattle Company and TKS Haygrinding
  • Pork butt sponsored by SD Pork Producers Council
  • Boneless leg of lamb sponsored by SD Sheep Growers, American Lamb Board, Kepp's Chislic,  Kingsbury Sheep Auxiliary, Lynn and Dianne Perry

2024 Backyard BBQ Entry Form

Backyard BBQ Information

bowl of chili

Chili Challenge

Bring your friends, appetite, and thirst to the F.A.T. Friday Chili Challenge on Friday, June 7! The people's choice public tasting is held from 5:30 pm - 7 pm on Friday evening! For only $5, get your fill of chili, oh, and vote for your favorite too!

Think your chili reigns supreme? Enter it in the F.A.T. Friday Chili Challenge!

Contest Details:

  • Entry fee of $20
  • Teams can check in at any time on Friday, June 7. Cooking can begin once checked in! Chili must be cooked at the contest.
  • Two divisions - 1) Group, 2) Individual cash prizes in each division
  • People's Choice: 1st place-$75 (and trophy), 2nd place-$50, 3rd place-$25
  • Overall Judged Competition - All chili entries will be judged against each other.
  • 1st place-$250, 2nd place-$125, 3rd place-$50

2024 Chili Challenge Entry Form

2024 Chili Challenge Rules

Contact Us

Candi Briley - State Fairgrounds
605-353-7354 or Toll Free (800) 529-0900

Laurie Shelton - Huron Chamber
605-352-0000 or Toll Free (800) 487-6673

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