Riverway Meats BBQ Battle
Bartlett Park- Kelso
BBQ Battle is a free-entry community event that brings competition BBQ to Townsville. In Bartlett Park in Kelso will host sanctioned BBQ competitions with teams travelling from across Australia and the US, alongside Backyard BBQ Wars, cooking demonstrations, food vendors, markets and live entertainment.
It's built around four purposes: promoting BBQ, promoting mental health awareness, celebrating Townsville, and providing a family-friendly day out. Our #riskit4thebrisket message encourages people to risk a conversation and check in on their mates, helping to break the stigma around mental health for both men and women.
About 4,000 people attended in 2026, and we're targeting 6,000-7,000 in 2027. The event gives local food vendors, stallholders, suppliers and entertainers direct access to a large audience, creates work for around 50 paid workers supported by 40 volunteers, and brings interstate and international visitors to Townsville. It's supported by naming partner Riverway Meats and a growing group of local businesses and community partners.
