Feb. 26 - 28, 2004
Reliant Park Parking Lot - Houston, Texas

• Thursday, Feb. 26 - 5 to 11 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 27 - noon to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 28 - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Not only is Houston the proud home of the largest livestock exposition and biggest rodeo in the world, but the Lone Star State also hosts a colossal, Texas-sized picnic to launch the three weeks of festivities!

While other rodeo contestants are gearing up to ride bucking bulls and horses, several hundred others are polishing their culinary tools and skills in preparation for some very heated competition -- the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. For the three days of cooking and competition, the sweet aroma of barbecue can be smelled for miles, luring 144,576 guests to join the feast in 2003.

Judging is serious business, and trophies are awarded to teams preparing the best dish in each category (brisket, chicken or pork spare ribs), as well as to an overall winner. Awards also are presented to the most colorful team or contestant, the team with the cleanest area, the team with the most unique pit, the best recycling team and the Go Texan teams for best barbecue, most colorful team.

And, barbecue isn't the only thing awaiting visitors. The 2004 event will include entertainment, carnival rides and a larger number of commercial exhibits.

The 2004 World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will take place from Thursday, Feb. 26 and continued through Saturday, Feb. 28.

Admission:
Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster outlets or at contest gates on the day of the event. Children 5 and under are admitted free. An admission ticket is redeemable for a free chopped brisket sandwich plate on the day of the event.

Cooking/Judging:
Corporate and Go Texan Cook-Off teams feature the most creative in barbecue décor with pits disguised as fire engines, covered wagons, airplanes and waste disposal trucks, just to name a few.

Judging will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28
Trophies will be presented for Grand Champion, Champion Chicken, Champion Ribs, Champion Brisket, Most Colorful Team, Most Unique Pit, Best Team Skit, Go Texan Best BBQ, Go Texan Most Colorful Team and Best Recycler.

Entertainment:
Entertainment during the 2004 World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest will be posted here when confirmed.

How To Get There:
The Rodeo METRO Express is available from one of eight convenient locations throughout the Houston area. Ticket prices are available at ticketing. For a complete listing of Rodeo METRO Express locations, click here.

Attendance Figures:

2003 Results (Winners)