Memphis is sizzling with more than just the summer heat as the 46th annual Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest kicked off on Wednesday. Liberty Park was transformed into a smoking hot battleground where pitmasters and their teams from 22 states and five countries are expected to quickly fire up their grills in pursuit of the coveted title of World Champion, reported WREG.
The gates swung open at 5 p.m., and by 5:30 p.m., the Lighting of the Grill ceremony officially set the stage for the 'Super Bowl of Swine.' Adding to the entertainment, a more unconventional and saucy event, Barbecue Sauce Wrestling, was on tap to entertain the crowds at 6:30 p.m., as per Action News 5. The park is scheduled to close at 10 p.m., wrapping up the initial festivities of the four-day smokathon.
Considered the "Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest" by many, this year’s competition not only promises some serious bragging rights but also an array of mouth-watering activities. Attendees can feast their taste buds on barbecue from the Kingsford Tour of Champions, BBQ Alley with Big Green Egg & Friends, and four renowned barbecue eateries, mentions Action News 5.
For those looking to dive deeper into the smoky arts, legendary pitmasters will generously dish out demonstrations, and tours of competitors' setups are to surely draw the interest of barbecue fans on Thursday. This kind of hands-on engagement makes the event more than just a feast for the stomach, but also for the curious mind, as WREG puts it.
For those keen to indulge in the fest or simply soak in the carnivorous carnival's aroma, tickets are going for $15 in advance and will set you back $18 at the gate, while a pass for the entire event runs at $54, according to FOX13 Memphis. With ample food, fun, and fiery grills, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is all set to be a scorcher of an event, literally cooking up storms in its new Liberty Park venue.
