Nothing says summertime like barbecue, so it’s fitting to celebrate the twilight of the season with a barbecue competition. For its fourth year, the Music City Festival & BBQ Championship will take over Riverfront Park, allowing grill-masters from across the nation to compete for more than $25,000 in prizes. Officially sanctioned by the Memphis BBQ Network and the Kansas City BBQ Society, the event features more than 100 competing cook teams, a People’s Choice contest, a car and bikes show, and a Kids’ Zone at Fort Nashborough. Grammy-nominated blues-rockers The Fabulous Thunderbirds, featuring sole original member Kim Wilson, headline the Grand Ole Porker stage on Friday night; a Mark Farner-less Grand Funk Railroad headlines Saturday. A range of ticket options is available at musiccitybbqfestival.com, and proceeds from the event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
— Abby White