Are dogs allowed at Reno Rib Cook Off?

Enjoy The Best BBQ Festival In The Country!  

Often referred to as the Super Bowl of rib competitions on the national BBQ competition circuit, the annual Labor Day Weekend event spans more than 6 city blocks in the heart of downtown Sparks, Nevada.  Two dozen of the country’s best BBQ teams competed for nearly $20,000 in prize money plus prestigious bragging rights!  It is estimated that 350,000-400,000 BBQ enthusiasts take part of the festivities each year consuming more than 250,000 pounds of mouthwatering ribs during the 6-day festival.

In addition to the best BBQ around, a wide variety of activities are offered including a huge arts and crafts vendor show, kids area, VIP area and top named entertainment performing on two stages. There is no admission fee and the event is open to the public.

Dates

Wednesday, August 31 – Monday September 5, 2022

Times

10:30am – 9pm Wednesday to Sunday
10:30am – 5pm Monday

Event Location

Victorian Square, Sparks, Nevada on Victorian Avenue between 14th Street and Pyramid Way.

Free Parking

Parking near the event is extremely limited and fills quickly. We recommend taking advantage of the free shuttle service!

Where To Stay

Stay in the heart of the action at the Nugget Casino Resort, located on Victorian Square.

What To Eat

Check out the list of Rib Cookers and find your favorites.
Walk down the street and purchase from all the vendors. Ticket addition not required.

Pet Policy

Pets and non-service animals are not permitted on Victorian Square per local regulations.

Are dogs allowed at Reno Rib Cook Off?

August 31 – September 5, 2022

6 Days / 20+ Rib Cookers / Free Entertainment

Thank you to all of this year’s visitors and participants.

Congratulations to our 2022 Winners:

1st Place – BJ’s Barbecue 2nd Place – Porky Chicks BBQ 3rd Place – Back Forty Texas Barbecue 4th Place – Carson City BBQ 5th Place – Checkered Pig BBQ Best Sauce – Just North of Memphis

August 31 – September 5, 2022

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

MAIN STAGE

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

main stage

11:00 am-1:30 pm

PLAZA STAGE

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

MAIN STAGE

Fuel

Destiny unfolds unexpectedly. However, it pushes...

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Are dogs allowed at Reno Rib Cook Off?

Fuel

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

11:00 am-1:30 pm

PLAZA STAGE

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

MAIN STAGE

11:00 am-1:30 pm

PLAZA STAGE

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

MAIN STAGE

11:00 am-2:00 pm

PLAZA STAGE

RIB COOKERS

Location

VICTORIAN SQUARE, SPARKS, NEVADA

1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, Nevada 89431

+1-888-846-4438

2022 Sponsors

A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors

It is finally time to welcome the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off to Sparks, Nevada taking place August 31 – September 5, 2022. Everyone loves a three-day weekend, so why not spend this year’s Labor Day surrounded by meat, smoke and sauce? With two dozen of the world’s top barbecue competitors serving more than 250,000 pounds of ribs, you are going to need a guide telling you where to go, how to get there and when to arrive.

Rib Cookers Compete for Top Honors

With the winning prize of $19,500 in cash, this year’s 20 Rib Cookers are ready to bring their A-game. This year’s competitors include returning favorites like Montana Q Bar-B-Que House and Back Forty Texas BBQ, as well as newcomers Brothers BBQ, Reno local, and Butcher Block, from Menifee, CA. Sample delectable ribs made by cookers from around the country. The winners will be announced on Monday, September 5 at 2 p.m.

Do you have a favorite? Cast your vote online for the People’s Choice Award.

Have a VIP Experience at the Rib Village

Why not enjoy the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off with front-row seats? Tickets for the Rib Village include side dishes, dessert, and all-you-can-drink beverages, including beer and wine. These tables, set for 10 people, are limited and sell quickly, so buy yours while they are still available!

Live Music on the Main Stage

Every night of the Rib Cook-Off there is live musical entertainment on the Main Stage. What’s better than chowing down on delicious ribs, chugging a cold beer and listening to good music? This year’s performances include a mix of bands and artists from country to rock ‘n’ roll. The schedule is as follows:

  • Wednesday, August 31 – Caleb Johnson
  • Thursday, September 1 – Adam Sanders
  • Friday, September 2 – Fuel
  • Saturday, September 3 – Eddie Montgomery
  • Sunday, September 4 – Jefferson Starship
  • Monday, September 5 – Everlast

Little ones will love the variety of rides and activities in the Kids’ Area, and you can take a break from rib sampling for some shopping in Crafters’ Crossing.

Quench Your Thirst at the Beer Garden

Last but not least, there is the Beer Garden. The Nugget Casino Resort has partnered with Budweiser and Morrey Distributing to bring Rib Cook-Off visitors all kinds of craft beers, carefully selected to pair nicely with barbecued foods. So once you get your sampler of ribs, be sure to stop by the Beer Garden located on Victorian Plaza, near the water fountain.

Free Shuttles and Parking

Getting to the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is easy. There is a free shuttle service, rideshare drop-off/pick-up areas or free parking in the Nugget’s West Parking Lot and at the City Parking Garage, near the Galaxy Theatre.

Round-trip shuttles are available Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Pick-up and drop-off locations for this complimentary shuttle are the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, located at 1350 N. Wells Ave. and Greenbrae Shopping Center/Sparks Christian Fellowship at 510 Greenbrae Dr.

To make sure you don’t miss a thing, check out the full schedule of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off events.

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Are dogs allowed at Reno Rib Cook Off?

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How long is the Rib Cook Off in Reno?

Two dozen of the country's best BBQ teams competed for nearly $20,000 in prize money plus prestigious bragging rights! It is estimated that 350,000-400,000 BBQ enthusiasts take part of the festivities each year consuming more than 250,000 pounds of mouthwatering ribs during the 6-day festival.

Is the Rib Cook Off in Reno still happening?

Once again, thank you to our 2022 Event Sponsors! We hope everyone had a great time and we'll see you at the 34th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook Off scheduled for Wednesday, August 30 through Monday, September 4, 2023.

What time does the Reno Rib Cook Off Start?

Nugget Rib Cook Off.

What is the Rib Cook Off in Sparks Nevada?

Sparks Rib Cook Off Each Labor Day, Victorian Avenue in Sparks closes to traffic as hundreds of thousands of barbecue buffs mow down 125+ tons of ribs and rock out to big-name bands (for free!) at one of the largest grilling competitions in the nation.