Free Bbq Samples And Tasting Opportunities At Smokin On The Rio Cook-Off

Smokin' on the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off offers attendees the chance to enjoy free BBQ samples and tastings as part of its annual event in Mercedes, Texas. This sanctioned cook-off provides multiple opportunities for visitors to sample various BBQ categories without additional cost beyond general admission. The event combines competitive cooking with public sampling opportunities, making it a unique experience for barbecue enthusiasts.

Event Overview

Smokin' on the Rio is an annual BBQ cook-off established in 2004 by local businessmen with the goal of raising money to support youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley. The event is recognized as the largest sanctioned BBQ cook-off in the state of Texas, drawing competitors from across the region and beyond. Held at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds, the festival brings together pitmasters, food lovers, and families for a weekend of barbecue, music, and activities.

The event has a significant charitable component, with profits generated from the event used to purchase student projects at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show's Sale of Champions. Over eleven years, the organization has supported over 800 students with $700,000 going to youth in the Rio Grande Valley. In recent years, Smokin' on the Rio has also established a scholarship program, awarding multiple scholarships totaling thousands of dollars.

Free BBQ Samples from Contestants

Attendees at Smokin' on the Rio have the opportunity to taste small samples from the BBQ contestants. According to event information, visitors can sample delicious ribs, brisket, and chicken prepared by the competing teams. These samples provide a chance to experience the quality and variety of BBQ without having to commit to purchasing full portions from any particular team.

The sampling opportunity is presented as a key feature of the event, with the invitation to "come hungry" suggesting that sampling is intended to be a substantial part of the experience. However, the sources do not specify the exact quantity of samples available per person or the exact manner in which they are distributed.

Free Judging Opportunities

One of the unique features of Smokin' on the Rio is the opportunity for attendees to participate as judges for various food categories at no additional cost. The event explicitly states that "It is FREE to judge!" and encourages attendees to check in at the Event Center 30 minutes before each judging time.

This judging opportunity allows attendees to taste and evaluate different BBQ and food categories in a structured format. The judging process provides a more interactive experience than simply sampling from vendors, as participants can compare different preparations and provide feedback on what they consider to be the best examples of each category.

Food Categories Available for Sampling

The event features multiple food categories that can be sampled through the judging process. According to the event schedule, these include:

• 10:00 AM - Fajita Judging
• 11:00 AM - Bean Judging
• 12:00 PM - Chicken Judging
• 2:00 PM - Pork Ribs Judging
• 3:00 PM - Chorizo Judging
• 4:00 PM - Brisket Judging

Each of these categories represents a different aspect of BBQ and southwestern cuisine, providing variety for attendees interested in sampling different types of food. Additionally, the event includes other food-related activities such as:

• 7:30 PM - Pan de Campo Judging (Friday)
• 8:00 PM - Carne Guisada Judging (Friday)
• 1:00 PM - Kids Q Judging (Saturday)

The Kids Q Judging is particularly notable as it features teams of young cooks competing, highlighting the event's commitment to youth involvement in culinary traditions.

Hospitality Award

The event includes a Hospitality Award that is awarded to the cooking team that does the best job serving the public. According to the event information, all cooking teams are invited to compete for this award, and attendees are encouraged to identify and nominate teams they believe deserve recognition for their hospitality and service.

This award structure incentivizes teams to provide generous samples and excellent service to attendees, potentially increasing the quality and quantity of free samples available to the public. Attendees who wish to participate in nominating teams for this award should inform a committee member of their choice.

Other Food Options

In addition to the free samples and judging opportunities, Smokin' on the Rio features multiple food trucks and vendors offering a variety of food options for purchase. The event description mentions "lots of food, drinks, craft booths, vendors, kid rides, and fun jumps," indicating a comprehensive festival experience beyond just BBQ.

Food and drinks are available for purchase at various locations throughout the event, including the Action Spot, in front of the Event Center, and at the Main Gate. The event also features team roping activities in the Rodeo Arena all day Saturday, adding to the variety of experiences available.

Event Schedule and Sampling Times

The event spans two days, with specific times when sampling opportunities are available:

Friday: - 7:00 PM - Gates open to public - 7:30 PM - Pan de Campo Judging - 8:00 PM - Carne Guisada Judging - 7:30 PM - 12:00 AM - Live music

Saturday: - 9:00 AM - Gates open to public - 10:00 AM - Fajita Judging - 11:00 AM - Bean Judging - 12:00 PM - Chicken Judging - 1:00 PM - Kids Q Judging - 2:00 PM - Pork Ribs Judging - 3:00 PM - Chorizo Judging - 4:00 PM - Brisket Judging - 6:45 PM - Awards Ceremony

The judging times represent the primary opportunities for free sampling, though the event also mentions that attendees can taste small samples from BBQ contestants throughout the day.

Admission Information

Admission to Smokin' on the Rio is $5 per person, with free parking and free admission for children under 12. The event operates under different admission hours on each day:

Friday: - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (admission hours)

Saturday: - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (admission hours)

While there is an admission fee, the free sampling opportunities and judging experiences provide significant value to attendees. The event also offers merchandise for purchase at the Action Spot and Main Gate for those interested in taking home souvenirs.

Vendor Information

For those interested in becoming vendors rather than attendees, the event provides specific information about vendor spaces. Vendor check-in and setup occurs on Thursday (5-7 PM) and Friday (12-4 PM). Each vendor receives 3 gate passes that provide free entry to the event on Friday and Saturday, with the option to purchase additional passes in advance for $10 each.

Vendors are restricted in terms of vehicle access, with only one vehicle per vendor permitted and specific times allowed for moving vehicles in and out of vendor areas. These restrictions are designed to maintain organization and safety throughout the event grounds.

Conclusion

Smokin' on the the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off offers multiple opportunities for attendees to enjoy free BBQ samples and tastings. The event combines competitive cooking with public sampling through both direct samples from contestants and structured judging opportunities across various food categories. With an admission fee of just $5 per day (free for children under 12), the event provides significant value to BBQ enthusiasts and families seeking a fun, food-filled weekend.

The free sampling opportunities include small portions of ribs, brisket, and chicken from competing teams, as well as the chance to judge various categories including fajitas, beans, chicken, ribs, chorizo, and brisket. The event's Hospitality Award further encourages teams to provide excellent service and generous samples to attendees.

Beyond the sampling opportunities, the event features live music, family-friendly activities, food vendors, and a charitable mission supporting youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley. For those interested in experiencing authentic BBQ culture while enjoying free samples, Smokin' on the Rio offers a comprehensive festival experience that celebrates both competition and community.

Sources

1. City of Pineville's Smokin' on the River BBQ Cookoff
2. Texas Border Business - 12th Annual Smokin' on the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off
3. Smokin' on the Rio Official Website
4. Smokin' on the Rio Vendor Information