OC BBQ Festival FAQs
 All the Info You Need Right Here!
 
Car show faqs:
 
 Do we have to pre-register?
 Pre- Registration is preferred. We will accept registration at the gate the morning of the event (8-10 am)  if space is available.  Space is limited to 200 cars. 

What does the registration fee cover?
Your entry into the car show and 2 general admission entries to the Festival.  General event admissions come with either a free BBQ taste or a kids wristband to the kid zone.

What is the earliest I can arrive at the event?
8:30 AM.  We will open a private gate for all car show entrants.  Gate number 5 is located off Arlington Drive.  A gate attendant will assist you in checking in, registering, and parking.
 
Can I leave the event early?
In keeping with the integrity of the event, we would prefer that all cars remain on site until after the 3pm awards show. However, should you need to leave early, arrangements can be made to assist you in leaving.  Please be aware that the event area will have heavy pedestrian traffic and you will need assistance to leave the event to ensure the safety of the attendees.
 
BBQ competition, contests & general faqs:

What is the Championship BBQ contest?
The Kansas City BBQ  Society State Championship BBQ
Competition will be going on throughout the course of the event.  The judging for this event is held away from the general event area and is secluded from the public.  The awards for the BBQ competition will be held at the main stage at 5 pm.  The public is welcome to watch the awards.

Can I be a judge in the BBQ Competition?
You can find applications to judge on the competition page of this site.  You will need to be a certified KCBS judge in order to judge this competition.  If you are not certified and would like more information on obtaining your judging certification, call our offices for information on the upcoming judges class.

Will the public get to taste BBQ?
Of course, that’s what this event is all about.  In addition to cooking for the Championship, the BBQ teams are cooking and serving up samples of their award winning BBQ for YOU to taste and judge.

How does the People’s Choice competition work?
Each adult admission comes with 1 BBQ taste.  Additional tastes can be purchased at the event.  Once you purchase additional taste tickets, you will be given a ballot card that will allow you to cast your vote for your favorite BBQ.  Remember, the teams are competing for the title of Orange County’s “People’s Choice Champions”.  You will have the opportunity to taste Chicken, pulled pork, ribs, brisket, tri-tip, and more.  Each taste ticket costs $2.50 or 5 tastes for $10.  If you are worried about the size of the tastes, don’t!  Each taste sample is 2.5 ounces of meat.  Even the heartiest of appetites barely handle more than 5 tastes.

The Southern California Que challenge?
For those of you who think you can handle it, we are offering the Que Challenge.  A taste card that will allow you to sample BBQ from every team competing.  That’s nearly 50 BBQ samples!  A limited number of challenge taste cards are available and those who master the challenge, will walk away with a souvenir t-shirt announcing their victory!

What’s in the Kid Zone?
The kid zone is packed with bouncers, Petting Zoo, arts & crafts, cupcake decorating, carnival games, face painting, and more.  The kids admission comes with an all access pass into the kid zone.  They can play, bounce, run, play with the animals, and have fun ALL Day long, as long as they want, as much as they want!

How do we get to the venue and into the event?
The Fairgrounds is located off the 55 & 405 frwys  in Costa Mesa.  Exit the 55 frwy at Del Mar Ave/Fair Drive.  Turn Right onto Fair Drive, go to Fairview Road, turn Right, Enter through gate 3 off Fairview road and park in parking lot E.  There is both preferred and handicapped parking available.  From the parking lot, just follow the smell to the BBQ area!