Smokin' Souls Backyard BBQ Competition

Smokin' Souls BBQ Competition 
Part of the Art & Soul Fest 2026

Get ready to fire up the pits and bring the flavor to the heart of downtown Thomaston! The Smokin' Souls BBQ Competition is a backyard-style barbecue competition celebrating the rich tradition, creativity, and soul of Southern cooking.

Held during the annual Art & Soul Fest, this two-day event invites pitmasters of all skill levels to compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights as the best in Thomaston.

Competition Categories:
• Ribs
• Pulled Pork
• Pork Loin
(Teams may compete in one, two, or all three categories.)

Awards Include:
• Best of Thomaston Grand Prize $300

• Cash prizes and awards for each category

1st Place $200

2nd Place $150

3rd Place $100

Location: Thomaston Exchange, 108 Gordon Street, Thomaston, GA 30286
Dates: April 16–17, 2026

Team Setup:
• Begins Thursday at 4:00 PM
• Must be completed by Friday at 4:00 PM

This event will follow official guidelines from the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA), ensuring a fair and exciting competition for all participants.

Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or just love to cook low and slow, this is your chance to showcase your skills, connect with the community, and be part of one of Thomaston’s most soulful celebrations of food, art, and culture.

 Bring the smoke. Bring the soul. 

Art & Soul Fest Smokin' Souls BBQ Competition Guidelines
Competition is open to adults 18 and older.

---Total Meat Per Team (Per Category)---
Cooked Meat
1. Judging box=1.5–2 lbs
2. Samples for public tasting (2 oz. samples enough for 75-100 people)=9.5–      12.5 lbs
TOTAL
~11–14.5 lbs cooked

Liability Waiver
The City of Thomaston, its employees, agents, contractors, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and the owners of the property on which any activities take place shall not be held responsible for any theft, loss, incident, accident, personal injury, or legal matters involving participating cooks, their equipment, supplies, or personal property before, during, or after the competition.
Assumption of Risk & Insurance
Cooks are solely responsible for obtaining any insurance coverage for themselves, their team members, equipment, and property. While insurance is not required, all participants acknowledge and assume any risks associated with participation in the event.
Professional Conduct
By participating in this competition, cooks agree to:
Follow all event rules and guidelines
Conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner
Adhere to public safety standards and community expectations
Failure to comply may result in disqualification at the discretion of event organizers.

Judging & Awards
All judging will be conducted in accordance with applicable competition guidelines. Judges’ decisions are final. The City of Thomaston reserves the right to interpret rules and make final determinations regarding awards and competition outcomes.
Event Authority
The City of Thomaston reserves the right to review, regulate, and adjudicate any aspect of participation in the competition to ensure compliance with event standards.
Photography & Media Release
By participating in the competition, cooks grant permission to the City of Thomaston to photograph, film, and/or record participants, their teams, and their cooking setups. Participants agree that these images and recordings may be used by the City for promotional, marketing, and publicity purposes without compensation.
 
By registering for and participating in the Smokin' Souls BBQ Competition, all cooks acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.