Are you looking for an opportunity to enjoy two incredible Kansas City favorites with your family: barbeque and the Historic West Bottoms? If so, you won’t want to miss our first annual West Bottoms Backyard Barbeque. They’re be plenty of food trucks and even more fun as The Strawberry Swing gathers more than 40 local arts and crafts vendors in the Courtyard for a family-friendly pop-up market at the same time! Festivities start at 10 a.m.

 

If you have mad BBQ skills, consider entering the competition, which will be giving away more than $8,200 in total cash prizes across three KCBS-sanctioned contests.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT: ONE-MEAT SHOWDOWN — TWO BURNS

MAY 15, 2026

Setup begins at noon. Pork ribs take center stage with two turn-ins at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Show us what you’ve got with one meat, two chances to shine.

$2,000 total prize payout

 

SATURDAY: BACKYARD BBQ

MAY 16, 2026

Two meats — chicken and pork ribs — with turn-ins at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for chicken and 12:30 p.m. for ribs. The full backyard experience.

$6,200 total prize payout

 

For more Heritage Days excitement and programming, visit https://www.hwb-kc.com/heritage-days to view the full 2026 event schedule.