Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest 2026

Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest on Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Barron Park, Downtown LaBelle. Entry fee is $250.00 for a 4-person team. 

                                (Please note that teams associated with sponsorship must register here.) 

 

Team Guidelines

• Teams may consist of up to 4 members.
• Maximum of 30 teams will be accepted.
• Team sites are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• No trucks allowed in Barron Park (per City of LaBelle request to protect the grounds).

Registration & Payment

• Teams must pre-pay through Eventeny (Stripe).
• No cash payments will be accepted at the mandatory meeting.
• Please list your Rib Team Name under “Business Name” on the application.
• Registration is only complete once payment is confirmed.

What’s Included with Registration
Each team will receive:

• • 32 racks of ribs
  • A box of sanitary gloves
  • Judging platters
  • Food trays
  • A People’s Choice ticket jar
  • A roll of paper towels
  • A bottle of hand sanitizer

Awards
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and People’s Choice will receive cash prizes (amount TBA) and unique trophies.
 
Event Schedule

Friday, January 9 6:00 PM — Mandatory Team Meeting (Barron Park)

At least one member of each team must attend.
Teams will sign an agreement confirming they’ve read the Rules & Regulations.
Supplies and ribs will be distributed (teams must sign off after counting ribs with an LDRC Board Member/volunteer).

Drawing for Judging Times will take place.

 

Saturday, January 10

4:00 AM — Teams may arrive to set up.
5:00 AM — Cook time begins (ribs must be checked by an LDRC Board Member/volunteer before cooking). Marinating is allowed, but no pre-cooking.
10:30 AM — Opening Ceremony
11:00 AM — Event opens to the public.

Tickets will be delivered to your site by LDRC.
1 ticket = 1 rib. Teams may not accept cash or give away extra ribs.
People’s Choice tickets (different color) will be placed in your jar. Keep your jar visible.
3:00 PM — People’s Choice voting closes.
3:30 PM — Awards Ceremony.
4:00 PM — Event ends.

Welcome to the Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest Vendor Application. The Annual Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest takes place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 11am - 4pm at Barron Park in beautiful Downtown LaBelle. We will have an Opening Ceremony at 10:30am. Vendors receive a 10x10 booth space in Barron Park. Booths will be set up in the park so that you will be in the grass. You will be centrally located at the event. You will receive a map of where your booth location the week prior to the Rib Fest. Since this is a food event, we are not accepting food trucks. Our rib teams start cooking as early as 4:00am. If you wish to arrive early, you are welcome to come as soon as the sun rises!  Please set up NO LATER THAN 9:30 am. We recommend setting up your booth between 8am - 9:30am. Please note that the later you arrive, the more crowded the event is. This can be challenging so please attempt to come early. Vendors are responsible for their tents, tables, and chairs. Vendors are responsible for bringing your extension cord and extension cord cover if power is required at the booth. Vendor parking will be announced as the event gets closer. The event is over at 4pm. Please do your best to stay open until the close of the event. The number and types of vendors will be controlled to assure appropriateness and limit duplications. Please do not leave your booths unattended. You are responsible for your belongings.  LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC)  has researched the most affordable coverages available and has negotiated a discount with Artist Crafters & Tradesmen (ACT) insurance for non-food liability coverage and Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) for food vendor liability coverage. The discount coupon code for $10 off your policy is labelle10. 
Use the links below to purchase coverage:
 
LaBelle Downtown Events
ACT Enrollment Link: https://app.actinsurance.com/events/2161
ACT policies cover artists, crafters, and tradesmen.
Show Policies start at $49 for 3 days of coverage and can go up to 90 days of coverage.
Annual Policies start at $279.
Free and unlimited additional insureds.

 
**Please note that crafters are not required to hold insurance. However, this coverage protects you from costs arising from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury.**

LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) proudly presents the 14th Annual Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest in Downtown LaBelle! This amateur rib cook-off takes place in our famous oak-canopied Barron Park. The smoky aromas lure residents and visitors to this annual event to judge each team's ribs and cast their vote for the team they feel deserves to be crowned the People's Choice Champion. Official judging is held to see who will be crowned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with cash prizes and unique trophies. Guests can enjoy great food, beverages (including beer), and live music. Spend the day grazing on ribs and shopping local vendors. Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest will occur on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Come early for the Opening Ceremony at 10:30am. This event is free to attend and open to the public. With your support, we can reach our goal of creating a fun-filled community fundraising event that helps us in our efforts to revitalize and preserve our downtown. The success of this event is credited largely to our sponsors, who lend their names and financial support. With a social media and e-newsletter reach in the 200,000s, we are confident that your business will benefit from joining forces to build on our ongoing projects. Our sponsorship benefits show the value of working with LDRC. It will show the community that your business supports our efforts. Please review the attached Sponsorship Benefit Levels to see which benefits suit your business. Thank you for your generous support!