PENDLETON CATTLE BARONS BBQ CHALLENGE
IN
PENDLETON, OR
EVENT DATE: SATURDAY MAY 3rd, 2025
Registration Closes Monday April 28, 2025
Welcome back to the Pendleton Cattle Barons BBQ Challenge! This year, we’re bringing you another top-tier competition with an affordable $125 entry fee, ribs supplied by the organizers and sponsors, and room for up to 40 teams. Our goal is to create an outstanding experience for competitors, judges, and attendees alike.
You will be supplying your own Tri-Tip and Chicken for this event. The organizer is suggesting 3 Tri-Tips to support People's Choice and Competition turn-in.
Competition Details
- You supply your own Tri-Tip and Chicken for the event.
- For Tri-Tip, we recommend bringing three to support both People’s Choice and Competition turn-in.
- Your ribs will be provided! Each team will receive three racks of Baby Back Ribs from Hill Meat Company, a trusted regional supplier. These ribs must be used for competition turn-in to ensure a level playing field. No outside ribs allowed.
- No vending of ribs or chicken is permitted.
People’s Choice Award
While there is no vending at this event, participation in the People’s Choice Award is mandatory from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
- Each team will serve 1-ounce samples of Tri-Tip to attendees with a People’s Choice Pin.
- 100% of the proceeds support scholarships for regional students pursuing agriculture studies.
Prize Pool & Categories
$5,000 Total Prize Pool – Awards for Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and payouts to 6th place in each category.
Categories:
- Beef Tri-Tip
- Chicken
- Baby Back Pork Ribs
Schedule & Key Times
Load-In: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Site Inspections: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Mandatory Cooks Meeting & Rib Pickup: Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 AM
Turn-In Times:
- 1:00 PM – Tri-Tip
- 2:00 PM – Chicken
- 3:00 PM – Baby Back Ribs
(Each category has a 5-minute window before and after the hour.)
- 5:00 PM - Awards Ceremony (or earlier if possible).
- Load-Out: After awards.
Venue & Utilities
Location:
125 SW 18th St, Pendleton, OR 97801
This venue has changed for 2025 and is across the street from previous years.
Power: Currently NOT provided by the venue. If power is required, please bring your own QUIET generator and whatever extension cords you need.
Potable Water: Available on-site.
Trash, ash, grease, and greywater disposal: Provided.
Team Requirements
- Each team gets a 20’x20’ space. If you need a larger or smaller footprint, contact the organizer before the event.
- All teams must follow PNWBA rules. Even experienced teams should review the Team Rules Page. New teams should also check out our New Team Info page.
Registration & Fees
- Entry Fee: $125 (non-refundable).
- Payment Due: At registration.
- In case of cancellation, a $10 fee is non-refundable to cover event processing costs.
Event Management & Contacts
Organizer: Jeff LaBoy, Cattle Barons BBQ Challenge Director
PNWBA Event Representative & Head Judge: Steve Rubin
PNWBA Head Judge: Jane Biehl
