Bel Air Ready for Maryland BBQ Bash

BBQ fans will overtake downtown Bel Air this weekend for the Maryland State BBQ Bash, a barbecue-themed festival that draws more than 30,000 attendees each year.

Live music, top-quality barbecue and other food vendors, crafters and a variety of merchants will be on tap off Bond at Thomas streets on Friday and Saturday. In addition, teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge and Maryland State BBQ Championship for cash prizes and the chance to compete at the world barbecue championship in Tennessee.

Here’s the full schedule for the Bel Air festival:

4–10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8

Design your own superhero mask and superhero training; 4 p.m. at Little Piggie Fun Zone

Pirate makeovers and cannonball blast game; 5 p.m.

Face painting by Bambini Family Entertainment; 5–7 p.m.

Sports fan makeovers and family games; 6 p.m.

Fiction 20 Down performs on the Main Stage; 6:30-7 p.m.

Make Glow in the Slime; 7 p.m.

Kiss A Pig Contest for the Boys & Girls Club of Harford County; 7-7:30 p.m.

Tailgate Challenge awards; 8:30-10 p.m.

Walk Ins Welcome performs

Noon–10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9

Monster Makeovers and balloon twisting; noon

Rock star makeovers, glitter tattoos, hands on rainbow, balloon twisting; 1–6 p.m.

Optimus Prime Transformer appearance by Heroes for Hire and face painting by Bambini Family Entertainment; 1:30 p.m.

Remains of Radio on stage; 1:30 p.m.

Pirate makeovers, design your own pirate beach ball for kids; 3:30 p.m.

MD State BBQ Bash awards and trophies; 4 p.m.

Frozen princess/knight makeovers, snow glitter slime and tiara making, Olaf appearance; 4:30 p.m.

Stolen Identity performs; after awards and trophies

Glow-in-the-dark bubbles and makeovers; 6:30 p.m.

Sports fan makeovers, family games; 7 p.m.

Blackjack Billy Band on the main stage sponsored by WXCY 103.7 FM

The bash will be in the Mary E. Risteau State Office Building parking lots at the corner of Bond and Thomas Streets.