Texas Border Business
Smokin’ on the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off was established in 2004 by a group of local businessmen with the goal of raising money in support of youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley.
The profits generated from the event have been used to purchase student projects at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions.
Smokin’ on the Rio feels it is very important to promote the involvement of students in the agricultural lifestyle that develops leadership, responsibility, and dedication.
The main goal is to insure that all students in the auction get a fair return on their livestock investment, which in turn will give them the desire to participate again and invite their friends to join them.
This year at the Sale of Champions, Smokin’ donated over $80,000, making them the #1 buyer of the entire sale for the SIXTH year in a row. Smokin’ also supported the youth at the Shop Project Auction spending $18,000 and donated most of the picnic tables purchased back to the Stock Show.
In addition, Smokin on the Rio has begun a new scholarship program and was able to award 4 scholarships totaling to $3,000.
In eleven years they have supported over 800 students with $700,000 going to the youth of the Rio Grande Valley.
At the 2014 event over 8,000 attendees joined us along with a record breaking 163 cooking teams from as far away as San Antonio, Houston, and even Canada!
Smokin’ on the Rio is held every year during the last weekend of February at the RGV Livestock Show Grounds in Mercedes, Texas.
12th Annual “Smokin’ on the Rio” Texas State Championship BBQ Cook-Off
Friday – $5 Admission/person (Children 12 under FREE) FREE Parking
- 7:00PM Gates Open to Public (North Main Gate)
- 7:30PM Pan de Campo Judging (Event Center)
- 8:00PM Carne Guisada Judging (Event Center)
- 7:30PM – 12:00AM Live Music with Romeo Vaughn and Ray Scott
Saturday- $5 Admission/person (Children 12 under FREE) FREE Parking
- 9:00AM Gates Open to Public (North Main Gate)
- 9:00AM Retail and Food Vendors Open (Action Spot)
- 10:00AM Fajita Judging (Event Center)
- 10:30AM – 9:00PM Team Roping (Rodeo Arena)
- 11:00AM Bean Judging (Event Center)
- 11:00AM – 1:00PM Live Music – Chis Marshall (Main Stage)
- 12:00PM Chicken Judging (Event Center)
- 1:00PM Kids Q Judging (Event Center)
- 1:30PM – 3:00PM Live Music – Roy Solis (Main Stage)
- 2:00PM Pork Ribs Judging (Event Center)
- 3:00PM Chorizo Judging (Event Center)
- 3:30PM – 5:00PM Live Music – Bottom Line Band (Main Stage)
- 4:00PM Brisket Judging (Event Center)
- 5:30PM – 6:30PM Ladies Mariachi (Main Stage)
- 6:30PM Grito Contest (Main Stage)
- 6:45PM Awards Ceremony
- It is FREE to judge! Please check in at the Event Center 30 minutes before judging times
- All cooking teams have been invited to compete for our Hospitality Award, which will be awarded to the team that does the best job serving the public. Please let a committee member know who you think that team is
- Cold Drinks can be purchased at the Action Spot, Event Center, and Main Gate
- Smokin’ on the Rio Merchandise available at the Action Spot and the Main Gate
- Lots of food, drinks, craft booths, vendors, kid rides, and fun jumps
$10,000 in prize money will be awarded and One BBQ Team will be crowned “The Best in Texas”
12th Annual “Smokin’ on the Rio”
Texas State Championship BBQ Cook-Off
- It is FREE to judge! Please check in at the Event Center 30 minutes before judging times
10AM Fajitas / 11AM Beans / 12PM Chicken / 2PM Ribs / 3PM Chorizo / 4PM Brisket
- All cooking teams have been invited to compete for our Hospitality Award, which will be awarded to the team that does the best job serving the public. Please let a committee member know who you think that team is.
- Drinks can be purchased at the Action Spot, in front of the Event Center, and at the Main Gate.
- Lots of food, craft booths, retailers, kid rides, and fun jumps around the Action Spot
- Team Roping ALL DAY in the Rodeo Arena
- Kids “Q” Cook-Off – Teams of cooking kids battle it out at 1 PM behind the stage under the Event Center Barn
- Smokin’ on the Rio Merchandise available at the Action Spot and the Main Gate
- Live Music all day on the Main Stage…
- Chris Marshall from The Marshall Law Band 11 AM – 1 PM
- Roy Solis 1:30 – 3:00 PM
- Bottom Line Band 3:30 – 5:00 PM
- 12 piece ladies Mariachi 5:30 – 6:30 PM
- Grito Contest 6:30 PM
- Awards Ceremony – 6:45 PM
$10,000 in prize money will be awarded and One BBQ Team will be crowned “The Best in Texas”
Smokin’ on the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off was established in 2004 by a group of local businessmen with the goal of raising money in support of youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley. The profits generated from the event have been used to purchase student projects at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show’s Sale of Champions. Smokin’ on the Rio feels it is very important to promote the involvement of students in the agricultural lifestyle that develops leadership, responsibility, and dedication. The main goal is to insure that all students in the auction get a fair return on their livestock investment, which in turn will give them the desire to participate again and invite their friends to join them.
This year at the Sale of Champions, Smokin’ donated over $80,000, making them the #1 buyer of the entire sale for the SIXTH year in a row. Smokin’ also supported the youth at the Shop Project Auction spending $18,000 and donated most of the picnic tables purchased back to the Stock Show. In addition, Smokin on the Rio has begun a new scholarship program and was able to award 4 scholarships totaling to $3,000. In eleven years they have supported over 800 students with $700,000 going to the youth of the Rio Grande Valley. At the 2014 event over 8,000 attendees joined us along with a record breaking 163 cooking teams from as far away as San Antonio, Houston, and even Canada!
Remember that we are all volunteers and that this is a fundraiser, please be patient and generous.
Thank you for your support!
