August is barbecue month in metro Detroit: 4 events to attend

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·4 min read
Foods grilled on a Big Green Egg grill.
Foods grilled on a Big Green Egg grill.

Love barbecue? You're in luck: August is turning out to be a barbecue bonanza in southeast Michigan.

Around metro Detroit, several planned events will whet the appetite for all things barbecue. From ribs to brisket to pulled pork, there's a lot to offer.

Here's a rundown:

Canterbury Barbecue Festival

Aug. 4-6, Lake Orion

This annual event in Lake Orion is billed as one of the largest barbecue festivals in the Midwest. Local and national food trucks and vendors will offer barbecue brisket, ribs, pulled pork and other dishes. There will be five stages featuring bands and live entertainment, including a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band, The Look and Martin Chaparro. The festival runs 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for ages 2 and up in advance and $10 at the door. Active military, veterans and under two are free. For info and tickets: canterburyvillage.com.

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Blues, Brews and Barbecue

Aug. 4-5, Westland

At Thomas H. Brown Central Park, 36601 Ford Road in Westland, it's all about the sounds of blues music, barbecue food and beer. The family event is free and open to the public. A dozen food vendors are expected. There is also a competition to name the “3 Best BBQ’ers” at the event; the three winners get a trophy. Expect live music on both days, along with crafts and activities amid the sights and aromas of smoky ribs, pulled pork and barbecue chicken. The event opens at 5 p.m. Friday; on Saturday, 2-4 p.m. is family fun time before general admission starts at 4 p.m. The event finishes with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday. Free shuttle service will be offered from three Westland stops found at cityofwestland.com.

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Famous Dave's Barbecue competition

Aug. 26, Taylor

The Famous Dave’s restaurant chain is behind an All-Star BBQ Championship Series competition that's making a stop in metro Detroit, seeking the best barbecue pitmasters.

From noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 26, the Famous Dave’s at 23811 Eureka Road in Taylor is hosting a barbecue competition qualifier with a cash prize and a spot to compete at the 11th annual World Food Championships (WFC) this fall in Dallas. Six barbecue teams will compete in Taylor for a chance to advance to the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Championship at the WFC. Two winners will be selected to move on. The event is free and open to the public. There also will be barbecue food for the public to sample.

The Taylor location is one of 15 Famous Dave’s nationwide hosting a qualifier event for a larger event. It’s the first year Famous Dave’s is a sponsor, according to Dave Anderson, who founded the nationwide restaurant chain in 1994.

Competitors tend to grills at the 2022 Great Lakes Ace Hardware Big Green Eggfest in Novi.
Competitors tend to grills at the 2022 Great Lakes Ace Hardware Big Green Eggfest in Novi.

Motor City Eggfest

Aug. 26, Novi

The second annual Great Lakes Ace Motor City Eggfest taking place Aug. 26 at MSU Tollgate Farms in Novi. Big Green Egg grills are ceramic-style grills and smokers known to have a cult-like following. This competition features Big Green Egg owners, chefs and cooking teams to show off their skills, and the crowds benefit as barbecue tips and techniques are shared by competitors. There are food samplings to boot, and you can vote for your favorite team.

EggFest events take place in several states around the country and are typically put on by Big Green Egg authorized dealers. Teams can also still register for the Novi event. Tickets are $20 per person and include voting tickets, barbecue samples, one soft drink or water, and a bag of Doritos. This year's event also has a charitable arm, where 50% of the ticket sales support Beaumont Children's Miracle Network Hospital and MSU's Tollgate Farms MSU Tollgate Farms and Education Center is at 28115 Meadowbrook Road in Novi. There will be discounts on the Green Eggs used in the event. For tickets: eventbrite.com.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 4 barbecue events, competitions in metro Detroit this month