MD State BBQ Bash in Bel Air brings good food and good times

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — On Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday Oct. 10, the parking lot outside Harford County’s courthouse was transformed for the annual MD State BBQ Bash, bringing two days of food, fun and festivities.

According to its website, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance kickstarted the event in the heart of Harford County in 2003, and over 20 years later, the bash hosts over 35,000 attendees each year.

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Emma Knight is the Director of Communications for the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, and shared how beloved the event has become.

“The barbecue bash is one of Harford County's biggest and most anticipated events of the year,” she said. “So, we're proud to be home to such a beloved event from the community.”

Part of that anticipation includes the Maryland State BBQ Championship, which takes place every year during the festivities.

More than 25 professional competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond flock to Bel Air to compete in the Kansas City Barbecue Society Championship for cash prizes and more.

Those teams also have the chance annually to advance to the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee and The American Royal competition in Kansas City, Missouri.