Get Ready For The Central Texas Barbecue Roundup This Saturday in Belton

A car show, a cornhole tournament, and 15,000 barbecue fans are descending on the Cadence Bank Center this weekend for a new barbeque event.

Smoke and Spirit: Central Texas Barbecue Roundup

This Saturday, the Cadence Bank Center will transform into a barbeque utopia as the Central Texas Barbecue Roundup makes its grand debut. The day promises something for everyone with a full day of family-friendly entertainment and, of course, world-class barbecue.

A Dream for the Community

The event is the brainchild of organizer George Bunker, who has a long history of running barbecue competitions in West and South Texas. Bunker says the best part of the event is the fact that there is no charge to enter. Bunker told KCEN, "This is where a mother raising three children on a limited income can bring her children once a year, get into the event, and it’s on us." Bunker hopes that by footing the bill himself, every resident, regardless of their financial situation, can enjoy the festivities.

More Than Just a Cook-Off

While the barbeque is the main attraction, the Roundup has plenty of additional things to do from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.:

Competitions: A car show and a high-stakes cornhole tournament.

Live Entertainment: Performances from local musicians throughout the evening.

Giving Back: A pet adoption event hosted by Next Level Canine and Healing Heart Rehab.

Hydration Stations: In a show of local support, Roam Roof and Solar will provide free water to all attendees.

How to Taste the Action

For those who want to do more than just smell the smoke, there are two ways to get involved in the tasting:

Be the Judge: Attendees can register for free to be a judge for the official International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) competition.

People's Choice: A separate tasting competition is available for a small fee, with adult tickets at $15 and children’s tickets at $8.

Future Plans For the Event

Bunker has a lot of help with this barbeque celebration. Over 100 local businesses are volunteering their time and Bunker plans for an even bigger event in years to come. His dream is to grow the event by 600% over the next five years. Bunker told KCEN, "Our intention is to become the largest barbecue competition in the world."