10-09-2024 11:52am

BEST BBQ BASH

Harford County MD’s most anticipated event of the year is the MD State BBQ Bash. Named as one of Harford County’s best events, the MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, with more than 25 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond competing for cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO.

In addition, 40 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge to see who has the best ribs and chicken while competing for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than 20 years, the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead.

The MD State BBQ Bash is being brought to you by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Main Street Maryland organization dedicated to creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly destination in Downtown Bel Air, MD. This event is the largest fundraising effort for the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and 100% of the proceeds benefits the mission and is reinvested locally.

2024 event map

Music Line Up

The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash.

2024 Music Schedule

Friday, October 11
5 – 7:30 p.m.: Chasing Friday
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.: Neon Union in partnership with WXCY

Saturday, October 12
2 – 4 p.m.: Fantasm
5 – 7:30 p.m.: Nothin But Trouble
8:30 – 10 p.m.: Liquid A

Seating

Looking for a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy your fresh BBQ? Here is a list on seating options for the event!

High Top Tables along Thomas St. and in the Crafter’s Area in Event Central
Picnic Tables in the Courthouse Patio, Park Area, and behind Vagabond Sandwich Co.
BYOS! Come with foldable chairs to sit throughout the event, including near the stage!

Parking

Plenty of parking is available throughout Downtown Bel Air. All parking is free in Downtown Bel Air on weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays, including the Bel Air Parking Garage (located at 6 S. Hickory Ave).

Handicapped Parking for the Event

Handicapped parking lots can be found close to the event in the parking lot on W. Pennsylvania Ave. (between S. Bond and S. Hayes Streets), the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot located at 38 S. Bond St., the top half of the Bond/Thomas Lot (125 Thomas Street – enter on Bond), and select bagged spaces on the street on Pennsylvania Ave. Handicapped parking is strictly enforced, and all violators will be towed.

Shuttle Bus Parking

Bel Air Elementary School 30 E Lee St
Bel Air Middle School 99 Idlewild St

Kids Tent Schedule

The Kids Tent is located in the Artisan Vendor section in Event Central behind the courthouse – scroll up for the 2024 event map!

Friday, October 11
4 – 6 p.m.: Celebree School and Author Lindsey Pope
6 – 8 p.m.: Empire Dojo and Coppermine

Saturday, October 12
12 – 2 p.m.: Harford County Public Library and Coppermine
2 – 4 p.m.: Harford County Public Library and Celebree School
4 – 6 p.m.: Celebree School and the Joy of Crafting Kids Club
6 – 8 p.m.: Empire Dojo and Coppermine