The Smoke in the Mountains BBQ & Ribeye Shoot Out will return to Fort Davis on June 5–6, 2026, bringing a state championship barbecue competition, live music and family-friendly activities to benefit Jeff Davis County first responders.
The event will be held at 100 Court Ave. in Fort Davis and will feature a full slate of cooking categories, a silent auction, food vendors and a cornhole tournament. Organizers said the competition offers a 100% payout, along with championship buckles and awards, including a special honor for the overall grand champion.
Friday’s schedule includes a cooks’ meeting, junior and senior pitmaster contests, a ribeye category and a margarita category. Saturday’s events include salsa, chicken, ribs, brisket, cabrito and dessert categories, followed by awards.
The competition includes divisions for teams cooking chicken, ribs, brisket and ribeye steaks, as well as youth pitmaster categories. Registration and team caps apply for several divisions.
Live music is scheduled throughout the weekend, featuring Lawson Knight and Tommy Tarango. The event also includes a “BBQ taste for tips” component, giving attendees a chance to sample entries while supporting the fundraiser.
Smoke in the Mountains is organized in partnership with the Champions Barbecue Alliance and serves as a fundraiser for Jeff Davis County first responders. Organizers said the event is held in memory of Sara Adams and Robert Rubio.
More information is available at http://www.smokeinthemountains.com or by contacting event organizers at smokeinthemountainsbbq@gmail.com.
