10-05-2025
BBQ and Barrels returns to Owensboro for 46th year
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — It's a weekend full of flavor and fun in Owensboro. The BBQ and Barrels festival is back for its 46th year. It used to be known as the International BBQ of people visit the city hoping to taste some of the world's best you walk anywhere near downtown Owensboro this weekend, you'll probably smell something amazing. Grills, street vendors and thousands of people flooded West Second Street in Owensboro for day one of one of its oldest festivals. Menus include chicken, bologna, and even fried donuts.
Precious Blood Catholic Church team is one of four church cooking teams and say they've fired up their grills like this since the tradition was first introduced to the city…over 40 years ago.
'We're not in competition anymore. They did away with that a few years back, so it's easier on us older guys [now],' says Steve Cecil of Precious Blood.
Cecil says the day starts at 6:30 a.m. and by the end of it they usually walk away with around $10,000. The sales amount goes back into the community and into the church.
'We've got what we call a tuition supplement for our students that go to catholic schools. it'. It usually helps out about 10 or 15 families,' says
On the east side of the bridge, a carnival will be set up with tickets starting at $1.50 each so everyone can join in on the fun.
Jason Shirel and Angela Shirel are excited to get a hold of some mutton. They came all the way from Princeton, Kentucky and just got married 3 weeks ago. Jason is an Owensboro-native, but this is Angela's first time at BBQ and Barrels.
'It's a lot of fun. I'm used to little street fairs, and this is way bigger. It's way bigger and I'm with my favorite guy,' says
Inside the Owensboro Convention Center, guests will spend the next two days sipping and sampling from 40 bourbon distilleries. At night, live music will fill the air. Friday night's performances include Lindsey James and Resurrection – A Journey Tribute.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
