Boots & BBQ Amateur Backyard BBQ Competition

Presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation

Are people always telling you your ribs are the BEST around? Or maybe you are are looking to take your BBQ skills to the next level. Cook up some of your best chicken and ribs and participate in Boot & BBQ Backyard BBQ Competition! Our Boots & BBQ BBQ Cook-off event on Saturday Oct 10th, 2026 at Antioch's Rivertown Business District. This amateur contest is intended for the local backyard BBQ enthusiasts, those whose friends and family tell them they create fantastic ribs and chicken at home. Participants can register as a group or as an individual and the cost to enter the contest is $100. The winners will receive a trophy, a cash prize and ultimate bragging rights!

No Trailered, custom rigs allowed.
Only Mass Market Grills and Ugly Drum Smokers
If the Pro’s want to compete, they have to use the grills of us Joes!
Amateur Contest Details and Rules:
• Our Amateur Contest consists of two categories. Ribs and Chicken.
• Chicken can be any piece or cut of chicken, must provide enough for 6 samples.
• Ribs can be either spares or baby back and must be turned in bone-in and enough for 6 samples.

* Ribs will be provided for competitors to cook for the Peoples Choice Sample / Award
• Contestant provides their own meat which must be inspected prior to starting to prepare/cook.
• Start at check-in with cold, untreated, raw meat. Meat may be trimmed, but cannot be pre-cooked, soaked, marinated, brined prior to inspection. After meat inspection, you may par-broil them, crock pot them, however you wish as long as at least part of the cooking includes the use of the grill.

• KCBS Rules will be followed with the following exceptions:
Gas, Charcoal or other Cooking methods may be used. All cooking must be done onsite. Allowed Garnishes: chopped, sliced, shredded or whole leaves of fresh green lettuce, parsley or cilantro. No Kale, endive, red tipped lettuce, lettuce core or other vegetation.

• All competitors will have approximately a 10x15 area to cook.

• Turn-in containers will be provided after the meat inspection.

• All competitors must have a fire extinguisher, 2A10BC with a 2026 sticker. This is required!

• All meat must be kept below 40 degrees prior to cooking.

• Electricity is not currently planned to be available for the amateur contest, please plan accordingly.

• All competitors must have a 3 compartment wash station, a spray bottle with bleach water (one cap of bleach for one gallon of water) and a free flowing spigot of water with a catch bucket and soap for washing hand. (Water cooler or similar is acceptable) and hand santizer.

• Please take care not to damage the cooking area.

• Parking will be provided nearby but away from the contest area. In consideration of your acceptance of this entry form and fee, I, the undersigned intending to legally bound to hereby for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, waive and release all rights and claims for damages I may have against the City of Antioch, Celebrate Antioch Foundation, KCBS, and their agents, successors and assigns for all injuries suffered to me in this event. I further grant permission to Celebrate Antioch Foundation and agents by them to use any photographs, videotapes or any record of this event for legitimate purposes. Alcohol is
not allowed in competitor’s area.

Prize Money Grand Champion - $500 and “King of the Backyard” Trophy

• First place ribs - $300 + Trophy
• 2nd place ribs - $150 + Trophy
• 3rd place ribs – $75 + Trophy
• 1st place chicken - $300 + Trophy
• 2nd place chicken - $150 + Trophy
• 3rd place chicken – $75 + Trophy

* Peoples Choice Ribs - $250 + Trophy

Backyard Contest Schedule Saturday Oct 10th, 2026.
*6am to 7am – load in
*7:15am Food Check
*8am Cooks Meeting
*Turn in time for Chicken - 12:25 to 12:35pm
*Turn in time for Ribs – 1pm to 1:10pm
*Awards approximately 2:30pm
Please complete the application for registration. For questions about event or registration cantact Joy at joymotts@gmail.com or visit celebrateantioch.org. Deadline for applications will be September 20th, 2026, at 5pm. Maximum of 15 competitors. First Come, First Serve.

 

Entry Fee: $100 entry fee.
Awards: Trophies and prize money will be awarded in Grand Champion and 1st place in both the Ribs and Chicken categories. Trophy and prize money will be awarded in 2nd place in both the Ribs and Chicken categories. Trophy and prize money will be awarded for 3rd place in both the Ribs and Chicken Categories.
Registration: Register her Online, registration must be received no later than October 10th, 2026. Please contact Joy Motts at joymotts@gmail.com if you have any questions. Registration must be received no later than September 20th, 2026 by 5pm and *Subject To Availability*. Judging: Judging will be completed in one round and will begin with Chicken at 12:40pm and with Ribs at 1:15pm, on Saturday 10th. Each griller must submit 6 samples in the containers supplied to you at cooks meeting. Winners will be announced at approximately 2:45pm on  Oct 10th at The Main Stage. JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
Rules: Please read entire document for complete rules and regulations. For additional questions you can contact Joy Motts, Celebrate Antioch Foundation at 925-813-0036.
By signing this document, the contestant agrees they have read and will abide by all the rules and regulations set forth and established in this registration.