The 24th annual Cedar Rapids BBQ Roundup starts today and continues through Sunday at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Second Street SE.
Admission is free for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. New this year, the BBQ Bandwagon, a free trolley service provided by CR Trolley and sponsored by the U.S. Cellular Center and Cedar Rapids Downtown District will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The trolley will stop at designated street corners throughout the downtown area and drop patrons off at the BBQ Roundup entrance. A map of stops is available on the BBQ Roundup website.
Admission is $3. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. The round up is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday (6/23), 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday (6/24), 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday (6/25) and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday (6/26).
This year’s award winning BBQ vendors include: Big Boned – Hixson, TN; Camp 31 BBQ – Castleberry, AL; Chicago BBQ Company – Burr Ridge, IL; Famous Dave’s BBQ – Bloomington, MN; Johnson’s BBQ – Chesapeake, VA; Porky N Beans – Port St. Lucie, FL; Texas Thunder – Amarillo, TX; Willingham’s World Champion BBQ – Memphis, TN.
Friday’s headlining entertainment includes Bush Hawg, an up and coming country band. Saturday night will feature two tribute bands; the music of Bon Jovi will be performed by Bad Medicine and the music of Cheap Trick will be performed by Cheap Rick.
WOW (Walk on Water) Balls will make their debut at this year’s BBQ. Family Day returns to the BBQ Roundup on Sunday featuring the Science Station with children’s activities such as scratch and sniff watercolors, funny putty and more.
