Cofran's Texas . . .
Hill Country Portal

We all love competition . . and what better way than focusing on BBQ, Chili and Crawfish in the Texas Hill Country.

Notice that the BBQ (barbecue) cook-offs events usually have competition in related areas, such as varuious BBQ meats (steaks, brisket, chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork, etc.), appitizers, beans and other sides (think beef fajitas), margaritas, bloody marys, etc. Jackpots are often available. Similar at the chili events. Both often additonally have a variety of festival activities, including washer and cornhole tournaments, food, craft vendors, car shows, etc. Most all sanctioned events span two days and are on weekends.

Visit and particpate in these local events located located in the Texas Hill Country. Have some other companion foods of their own making. Come and meet the these crafters as you tour and taste. Learn more what this competion is all about.

Most event organizers seek your assistance by volunteering and/or judging. Rarely is anyone paid but there are lots of benefits.

Be sure to check out our companion focus topic pages on wine and wineries, at: Wine,
beer & breweries at: Beer, and distilleries & spirits at: Distilleries & Spirits












LONE STAR BARBECUE SOCIETY (LSBS): 325-998-8877; Web. Non-profit organization of barbecue enthusiasts. Events often combine with other local event themes (chili cook-off, car show, etc.) and have local concessions. Not all details are available early in the year. Events benefit local charities. Each event may have contests for various meats (brisket, chicken, pork, beans). Events often do not repeat each year in same town. Most are "rain or shine". Typically no prior experience req'd. Entry fee for BBQ submissions. Most have camping and RV parking that require a per night fee. onestarbbqs@gmail.com

Apr 11-12, 2025 - MASONIC LODGE BBQ COOKOFF - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Junction, at Kimble County Fairgrounds, 230 Fairgrounds Rd, off FM-2169 W. Fri-Sat. Noon-4p. Benefits scholarship fund. Raffle. Rodeo and dance. Event Flyer-pdf. Cook-off: Rudy Supak: 325-446-6558

Apr 18-19, 2025 - EASTERFEST, BBQ COOK-OFF & OPEN CAR SHOW: Kerrville, along the Guadalupe River at Flat Rock Park, 3840 Riverside Park Drive. Fri-Sat. A Kerrville tradition for 40+ years! A fun-filled free community event. Egg hunt, live music, vendors, car show, BBQ cook-off. Benefits local charities. Parking: Free. RV spaces but no hookups. Event Web. Car show: Mac at 830-459-3366; Cook-off: Tricia Byrom, 830-267-1668, tlbyrom@live.com. Sponsor Web; Venue Web. Hosted by Leadership Kerr County. Event Flyer-pdf. Cook-off: Barbie: 830-353-2810, barbie87.rf@gmail.com

May 2-3, 2025 - HOWDY-ROO CHILI COOK-OFF & BARBEQUE COOK-OFF: Granite Shoals, at at Quarry Park, 2221 N Phillips Ranch Road. BBQ State Championship. A combined Lone Star and CASI event. Events include: Highland Lakes Pod Chili Championship; CASI Regional Chili Championship; Local Business Chili Cookoff; State BBQ Championship. Flyer-pdf. Craig Schlicke Great Pepper: 512-507-9089, schlicke5603@yahoo.com

June 13-14, 2025 - SMOKE ON THE HILL - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ COOK-OFF: Brady, at Richards Park, 1268 W 6th Street. Concert, cornhole tournament, vendors, food. Benefits Brady fire department. Event Flyer-pdf. Sheri: 325-792-7063, sheri@heartoftexasrestoration.com

July 4-5, 2025 - KINGSLAND AQUABOOM BBQ COOKOFF: Kingsland, at Kingsland Community Center, 3451 Rose Hill Road. Map, Venue Web. Fri-Sat. Event Web. Event Flyer-pdf, 325-248-5393, AquaBoomBBQ@gmail.com

July 11-12, 2025 - BURLESON 1856 BBQ COOK-OFF: Lampasas, at 1047 US-281. Fri-Sat. Event Flyer-pdf

July 18-19, 2025 - NIGHT IN OLD FREDERICKSBURG - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ COOKOFF: Fredericksburg, at Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr just off TX-16, 2 mi S of town. Fri-Sat. RV's welcome (no hook-ups). Venue Web, Event Web. Event Flyer-pdf. Chad Ellebracht: 830-456-0409, chad.ellebracht@yahoo.com

Aug 29-30, 2025 - ANNUAL KOW KICK - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Junction, at Schreiner Park, N 1st Street, 325-446-3880. Hosted by the Kimble County Chamber of Commerce, 325-446-3190. Chamber Web. Part of the Kow Kick Labor Day weekend overall community event. Arts & crafts fair with vendors selling handmade goods and food items. Live music throughout the day. Little Miss & Mr. Kimble County Pageant. Evening dance in the park. Venue Web, Event Web. Event Flyer-pdf. Mark Arrazola: 325-446-3190

Nov 7-9, 2025 - GO TEXAN COOK-OFF: Lampasas. 580 Sports Complex, 2351 FM-580 West. More details to follow.





INTERNATIONAL BARBECUE COOKERS ASSN (IBCA): 512-806-3267; Web. Non-profit organization of barbecue enthusiasts. Events often combine with other local event themes (chili cook-offs car show, etc.) and have local concessions. Not all details are available early in the year. Events benefit local charities. Each event may have contests for various meats (brisket, chicken, pork, beans). Events sometimes do not repeat each year in same town. Most are "rain or shine". Typically no prior experience req'd. Entry for for BBQ submissions. Most have camping and RV parking that require a per night fee. onestarbbqs@gmail.com

Mar 21-22, 2025 - BUCKS BACKYARD ANNUAL BBQ COOKOFF: Buda, at Bucks Backyard, 1750 S FM-1626. Venue Web, Event Web. IBCA Contest Number: 2025-126. Shane Sanders: 512-667-8063, emailPHVSanders@gmail.com

Apr 25, 2025 - BUDA LION'S COUNTRY FAIR & BBQ COOK OFF - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Buda, at Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio Street. Venue Web, Event Web. IBCA Contest Number: 2025-148. Frankie Hoc: 512-971-0355, emailfrankiewhoch@msn.com

July 25-26, 2025 - HILL COUNTRY RALLY FOR KIDS BBQ COMPETITION: Driftwood, at Driftwood, at Camp Ben McCulloch (across from Salt Lick BBQ), 18301 FM-1826. Venue Web. Event Web. IBCA Contest Number: 2026-6. Ron White: 512-657-3184, dr.ronwhite@gmail.com

July 25-26, 2025 - NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY (NDAC): Bandera, at 2886 TX-16 North, at the BCJLS/Mansfield Park Showbarn. a href="https://www.bcjlsa.com/" target="_blank">Venue Web. Event Web. IBCA Contest Number: 2026-4. John Cressey-Neely: 540-840-5550, johncn.bba@gmail.com

Oct 24-25, 2025 - UNITED CREED 1ST ANNUAL CANCER BENEFIT AND COOK OFFS - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Spring Branch, at Anhalt Hall, 2390 Anhalt Road. Venue Web. Event Web. IBCA Contest Number: 2025-11633. Patti Prescott: 210-872-4995, pattiprescott@yahoo.com





Jan 10-12, 2025 - RANGER BBQ SMOKE-OFF: Spring Branch, at Good Bull Ranch, 6815 FM-311. Open to public, community event. This is a chance for our Ranger families to gather for food and a little competition. Bring your tents, RVs and your friends! Grab a team of your closest friends and enter the BBQ smoke-off. Even if you don't cook come out to celebrate and hang out with your friends. Entry fee includes cost of these entries: Brisket, Spare Ribs and Chicken. Bloody Marys! Live music. Food trucks. Special events for kids. Over $2000 in prizes. Annual event. Not sanctioned. Web

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2025 - HILL COUNTRY BUILDERS ASSN-SHUMANN GRANITE - BBQ COOK-OFF: Fredericksburg, at Shuman Granite, 10046 US-290 E. 11a. Event Web. Brisket, Ribs (spare), Chicken. Also competition for chili, beans, margaritas, bloody mamys. Annual event. Melissa Eckert: 830-798-2266

Jun 20-21, 2025 - BATTLE OF THE BADGES BBQ COOKOFF: , at Quarry Park in Granite Shoals, Quarry Park, 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road. This Fri-Sat annual event brings together first responders from across the Highland Lakes to compete in a non-sanctioned barbecue showdown, featuring categories like brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and beans. Everykone is invited to cook and judge. Benefits our local heroes. Web

July 11-12, 2025 - BANDERA CHAMBER BBQ COOK-OFF: Bandera, at Pioneer RV River Resort, 1202 Maple Street. Annual event. Competitors battle it out in three categories: chicken, pork spare ribs and brisket, with a $250 entry fee. Friday night features a Margarita Contest, while Saturday brings the Bloody Mary and Beans competition, each with a $25 entry fee and a 70% payout. Jackpot events. Live music, vendor booths, camping. Web. 830-796-3751. Register at pioneerriverresort.com. FMI: Sharon Cummings, 210-414-4794, sharon@pioneerriverresort.com

Aug 29-30, 2025 - WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ GOAT COOK-OFF: Brady, at Richards Park. 5-10:30p. Cook-off competition (200+ teams), BBQ goat meal, arts and crafts fair, children's games, horseshoe and washer tournaments, goat roping & cornhole tournaments, live music, Goat Gallop 5K Fun Run, kids' games, food, vendors, Texas beer & wine tasting, live music and more! Annual fundraiser for Jaycees. 325-597-3491. Event Web

Nov 7-9, 2025 - LAGT BBQ COOKOFF: Lampasas, at 580 Sports Complex, 2351 FM-580 West. Annual event. Event Web






CASI - CHILI APPRECIATION SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL: 214-802-9618; CASI Web, Facebook. Non-profit organization of chili enthusiasts. Events often combine with other local event themes (barbecue cook-off's car show, etc.) and have local concessions. Not all details are available early in the year. Typically no prior experience req'd. Volunteer judges wanted. Events benefit local charities. Events often do not repeat each year in same town. Most are "rain or shine". Entry fee for Chili submissions. More details for each event are on website.

May 2-3, 2025 - HOWDY-ROO CHILI COOK-OFF & BARBEQUE COOK-OFF: See full details in above BBQ section.

May 3-4, 2025 - CHILI COOK-OFF TEXCLIPSE: Junction, at Hill Country Fairgrounds, FM-2169. Sat-Sun. , Event Web. Event Flyer-pdf. texasmofo@yahoo.com

May 31-June 1, 2025 - PEACH COUNTRY RV PARK CCO DAY: Stonewall, at Peach Country RV Park, 14781 US-290. Benefits: Stonewall Volunteer Fire Dept. Cook Off #5392. Melissa Pate: 281-795-4075, melissapate@casichili.net





Jan 18, 2025 - CHILI COOK-OFF POTLUCK: Fischer, at Venue Web. 6p. Loy Moe: 281-851-5134. Prizes for 1st-3rd place wiinners of the 10 entries.

Sep 13, 2025 - K-STAR CHILI COOK-OFF, CAR & BIKE SHOW: Kerrville, at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 TX-27. This "Big Ta’Do" is hosted by K'Star. 10a-3p. Music, vendors, children's activities, more. Fundraising event for our Emergency Children’s Shelter, Free Counseling Services, & Halo’s Kloset in our very own Texas Hill Country. The event will include live music, market and resource vendors, food trucks, and kids activities.Web, Facebook. FMI: Cuerra Wright, 830-285-0575, 830-739-4414, cierra.wright@kstar.org

Sep 13, 2025 - TOP DAWG CHILI COOK-OFF: Kyle, at La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham, FM-1626 at Kohlers Crossing. 10a-5p. Event held jointly with the Emergency Preparedness Fair. Non-sanctioned. Family-friendly. Annual event. Proceeds benefit local first responders. Hosted by Hays County and City of Kyle. Event Web-Summary, Event Web-Details, Facebook, Facebook

Oct 25, 2025 - FALL FESTIVAL & CHILI COOK-OFF: Luckenbach, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop. 11a-5p. GOLD 1st place winner is up for grabs! They’ll be taking home a cool $500 cash prize. Free live music, face painting, vendor shopping, trick-or-treating on the property, and a family pumpkin carving contest! Bring your carved pumpkin or pumpkins to the "Pumpkin Check-In" by the dancehall anytime between 1pm-2pm. They will then get placed in and around our historic dancehall! Winner announced at 3p and winners will get some FREE Luckenbach swag! Annual event. Ticket required. 830-997-3224. Web





Regarding these crawfish boil events, please know that there is not a sanctioning organization as with BBQ and chili. However, depending on location specifics, there may be local un-sanctioned cooking competition not only for crawfish, but also related food items. And, notice that there are far fewer formal and well promoted crawfish events. But, there is growing presence of lesser promoted cases where the crawfish boils are simply more of an add-on to a larger themed festival. Common related food items at these festivals typically includes jambalaya in a celebration of Cajun culture, with live music, carnival rides, and plenty of crawfish.

Mar 1, 2025 - ATX CRAWFISH KICKOFF FESTIVAL: Austin, at Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe Street. Facebook.

Apr 5, 2025 - JONESTOWN CAJUN FEST: Jonestown, at Jones Brother's Park, 10301 Lakeside Dr, at the Lake Travis shore. 11a-7p. Features talented teams preparing their best gumbos, jambalayas, etouffees. Live zydeco music, parade, games, prizes, treats and FUN family activities. Food, beverages and vendor products for sale. Aiyeeee! Laissez les bon temps rouler y'all! Free annual event. Fee for cook-off entry for teams. 512-267-7952, Chamber Web

Apr 25-26, 2025 - LLANO CRAWFISH OPEN: Llano, at Robinson City Park, 2 mi W of downtown at 2249 CR-152 on S side of Llano River. Sat: 11a, Sun: 11:30a. Great food (boiled crawfish, BBQ, jambalaya, sausage wraps, pulled pork sandwiches, fixings), live music, Sat night dance, charity golf tournament, 5K run, arts & crafts, motorcycle fun run, washer pitch'in tournament, crawfish team roping, crawfish crawler, special events and much more. RV spaces. 325-247-2270. Web

May 23-25, 2025 - FREDERICKSBURG CRAWFISH FESTIVAL: Fredericksburg, at Marktplatz (Market Square) Pavilion, 126 W Main St (corner Main and TX-16 S). 11a-Midnight. Activities for the whole family including lots of great Cajun food, live music, shopping, and fun for the young and young at heart! Annual event by Jaycees. Rain or Shine. Parking: Free. Admission: Ticket required. 830-456-2698. Web

Sep 27, 2025 - MEDINA LAKE CAJUN FESTIVAL: Lakehills, Civic Center, 11225 Park Rd 37 and 15th St, W Lakehills. 10a-9p. Two dance floors featuring top Cajun and Zydeco bands from the heart of Louisiana. Ever popular gumbo cook-off. Great homemade Cajun food including crawfish pie, jambalaya, fried fish and shrimp, red beans & rice, crawfish etouffee, boudin jalapeno poppers, bread pudding, and pecan pralines, served all day long. Arts & Crafts and children's activities. Annual event, rain or shine. Parking: Free and shuttle service available. Admission: Ticket required, $15/p, children 10 and under free. 830-460-0600. Event Web





Gumbo is a delicious, hearty stew that originates from Louisiana, typically made with a flavorful roux, seafood or meat, and vegetables like okra.

Feb 20-22, 2025 - COWBOY MARDI GRAS & GUMBO COOK-OFF: Bandera, at 11th Street Cowboy Bar. World Championship Gumbo Cook-off on Saturday. Costume contest, canine costume contest, and special country and Cajun Zydeco and CW music. 830-796-4849. Sponsor Web, Chamber Web

Apr 19, 2025 - WIMBERLEY GUMBOFEST: Wimberley, located down at the bayou (beautiful Cypress Falls Swimming Hole, 50 Marina Circle). Noon-6p. A family-friendly celebration of Cajun culture and heritage across Texas and Louisiana featuring a championship Gumbo Cook-off, live music, silent auction, raffles, food trucks, drink specials, games, and of course, the best gumbo this side of the Sabine! This event has grown over the years to become a mainstay of the Wimberley community and surrounding areas and offers visitors and locals alike a fun and friendly place to unwind on the banks of Cypress Creek and take in the Cajun atmosphere. Annual event supports "My Neighbor's Keeper" to further their local charitable work. Admission tickets: $10 at the gate; Kids under 12: $5. Sponsor Web. Event Web, 832-768-8432, wimbogumbocookoff@gmail.com

Sep 27, 2025 - MEDINA LAKE CAJUN FESTIVAL: Lakehills, Civic Center, 11225 Park Rd 37 and 15th St, W Lakehills. 10a-9p. Two dance floors featuring top Cajun and Zydeco bands from the heart of Louisiana. Ever popular gumbo cook-off. Great homemade Cajun food including crawfish pie, jambalaya, fried fish and shrimp, red beans & rice, crawfish etouffee, boudin jalapeno poppers, bread pudding, and pecan pralines, served all day long. Arts & Crafts and children's activities. Annual event, rain or shine. Parking: Free and shuttle service available. Admission: Ticket required, $15/p, children 10 and under free. 830-460-0600. Web

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