Smokin’ In Steele BBQ & Blues Fest This Weekend in Owatonna
The 2023 Smokin' In Steele Barbeque & Blues Festival is this Friday and Saturday at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna.
Presented by the Knights of Columbus, and benefitting Special Olympics, Smokin' In Steele is sanctioned by the Minnesota Barbeque Society and the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and is a state championship barbeque contest as proclaimed by Governor Walz.
Here's the lineup for 2023. Beer Garden shows require a $15 two-day wristband pass (available at the event).
Friday, June 2nd
- 11:00 am: Food Vendors Open for Lunch
- 4:45 pm: Crooked Eye Tommy Duo in Park Square (Free) 🎵
- 5:00 pm: Greetings and Instructions to Pro BBQ Teams
- 5:15 pm: Kid-Q Kickoff (Free)
- 6:00 pm: Ivy Ford Band in Beer Garden 🎵
- 7:30 pm: Kids-Q Awards in Park Square (Free)
- 8:00 pm: Bruce Katz Band in the Beer Garden 🎵
Saturday, June 3rd
- 7:30 am: Backyard Amateur BBQ Competition (Cooks’ Meeting)
- 9:00 am: Start of informal, untimed 5K Walk/ Run (Free)
- 11:00 am: Food Vendors Open for Lunch
- 11:00 am: Hot Rod/ Vintage Car Cruise-In/Display (Free)
- 11:30 am: Joyann Parker Duo in Park Square (Free) 🎵
- 1:30 pm: Mark Cameron in Park Square (Free) 🎵
- 4:00 pm: Awards Ceremony Park Square (Free)
- 5:00 pm: Rusty Wright Band in the Beer Garden 🎵
- 7:00 pm: Shaun Murphy in the Beer Garden 🎵
- 9:00 pm: Jay Stulo in the Beer Garden 🎵
On-Site Camping
On-site camping is available, with about 60 spots with water and electrical hook-up. There are also two dumping stations on site. The cost is $35 per night for full hook-up sites, and $18 for a primitive site with no water or electricity. Reserve your campsite HERE.
Car Show & Cruise-In
Make a point to check out the Smokin' In Steel car show, featuring hot rods, classic, vintage, and antique cars and trucks on Saturday, June 3rd from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
I'll see you this weekend at the Steele County Fairgrounds for some blues and barbeque. PRO TIP: Don't wear white. 😆
MORE TO EXPLORE: 10 Iconic Minnesota Food Dishes