National Capital Barbecue Battle Returns To DC June 23-24

WASHINGTON, DC — For the past 26 years, thousands of people have traveled to our nation’s capital for The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle, one of the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country.

Washington’s tastiest summer celebration is a food and music festival that pays tribute to everything barbecue and truly embodies an authentic summer experience. In addition to bringing together barbeque fans from around the country, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle has also raised millions of dollars for District charities in the process. This year, funds raised from the event will again benefit both the USO-Metro and the Capital Area Food Bank.

For two days, June 23rd and 24th, 2018, the Nation’s Capital will become the center of BBQ perfection bringing back even more savory delicious barbecue, countless summer specialties, nationally-recognized barbecue cooking contests, live music, TV celebrities, and entertainment experiences for all.

The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle takes place on historic Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW, between 3rd and 7th Streets. Amazing sights, powerful music, and the hickory sweet aroma of mouth-water barbecue replace the usual city scene.

Two days of non-stop live entertainment means there is always something to do or see. Throughout the weekend, attendees will enjoy live music from 30 different bands on performing rock, reggae, jazz, blues and DC’s own go-go music throughout three different stages; the Pepsi Lays Sound Stage, Famous Dave’s Music Stage, and the Monster Energy Stage. This year’s music highlights will include: The Plain White Ts, BYB, Unlimited featuring Sugar Bear, See-I, and Marcus Johnson.

Cooking demonstrations, celebrity appearances, and an array of unique exhibits and activities also take place all weekend long.

Make sure to arrive at the festival on an empty stomach. The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle offers plentiful free food samples in the Taste of Giant® Sampling Pavilion as well as the Giant® Local Flavors Tent. Popular barbecue vendors from around the country also flock to the festival for a chance to share their delicious food with attendees as well. To quench everyone’s thirst, the event will feature Ravage Wine Sampling, the Giant® Corks-and-Caps Wine and Micro-Brew Sampling Tent, a variety of Anheuser-Bush beverages, and plenty of popular non-alcoholic drinks.

In between listening to some great live music and sampling some of the best barbecue in the country, thrilled visitors can also explore an array of unique exhibits and activities including: the Johnsonville Big Taste “World’s Largest” Grill, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, the Mr. Peanut Tour, the Comcast Tech Pavilion, and more. There will also be plenty of summer sports action from the Baltimore Brigade, Washington Wizards, Mystics, Valor, Washington Redskins, and DC United.

The fun doesn’t stop there. The high-stakes Giant® National Barbecue Championship cooking competition takes place all weekend long. Barbecue legends like Myron Mixon, Tuffy Stone, and Moe Cason from TV’s “BBQ Pit Masters Show” compete side-by-side with other top BBQ chefs and teams from around the country. The contest winnings include cash, prizes, and the coveted title of ‘America’s National Barbecue Champion.’ Teams cook off in multiple other cooking contests as well, including: the National Pork Board’s National Pork Championship, the Perdue Sizzlin’ Chicken Contest, the Smithfield BBQ Rib Contest, and America’s Best BBQ Sauce. In addition, military chefs from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard battle to win the Military Chef’s Contest.

Please visit www.BBQinDC.com for event schedule and more information.