Tokens are sold in $3 increments at the main event tent on the lawn. We recommend starting with 10 tokens as most items are priced between 1 and 3 tokens. All BBQ food MUST be purchased with tokens. Coffee, candy, snacks, crafts, merchandise, etc. MUST be purchased with cash or card. Beer and Wine can be purchased with yet another type of token. We gotta keep it separated!
When you purchase your tokens, you'll be given three tickets to disburse as you please. You can give these tickets to your three favorite teams or you can give all three to one team. You're the boss! The teams with the tastiest food will win the People's Choice award and bragging rights.
The beer garden is on the lawn and is 21 and over. You cannot take kids in and you cannot take alcohol out. Be prepared to show your valid ID when you purchase your token and again when you get your beer.
Beer/Wine Tokens can be purchased at the same tent as the BBQ tokens.
Please drink responsibly.
At the main event tent, you can buy raffle tickets and view the different raffle prizes. Follow us on facebook or instagram @bigsmokeinlittlekalama to see updates on raffle prizes.
Raffle Drawings will be held on Sunday at the stage around 4 PM. You do not need to be present to win.
Various vendors on the lawn are hosting kid's activities. Fibre Federal Credit Union has partnered with us to make this a fun event for the kids! Each kid will receive ONE FREE raffle ticket for each activity. ONE raffle ticket per kid, per activity. The Fibre Federal tent, will have the raffle prize buckets and kids can choose which prize they want to try and win. Drawings will be around 4 PM on Sunday at the stage. You do not need to be present to win. You cannot buy tickets for these items!
In addition to the BBQ teams competing, kids can register to compete in the burger competition! The number and age range of the kids will determine the age brackets. We will most likely have two brackets. Please check back here or on facebook and instagram @bigsmokeinlittlekalama for details and rules. There will be prize money!
This year we're taking the awards to the stage! This happens on Sunday around 5 PM. After the teams have turned in all four of their meats, the judges start tabulating scores. Teams get called up to claim a trophy and cash for up to 8 places in each meat category. Lastly, the judges announce the Reserve Grand Champion and then the Grand Champion.
Misty Banchero, aka the Seattle Butcher's Wife will be at the event this year doing demonstrations on Open Fire Grilling! Misty is a BBQ champion, a Royal Oak Ambassador, and one of the leading BBQ influencers in the Pacific Northwest. You'll want to save a couple tokens to taste whatever she's grilling!
We are NOT at the waterfront by McMenamins. We are located at exit 32, just north of downtown Kalama at Haydu Park, 253 Kalama River Rd.
Please reach us at info@bigsmokeinlittlekalama.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No Dogs are allowed at Haydu Park.
You can bring a lawn chair and a blanket, but please do not bring a pop up tent. It can get windy at the park and cause a hazard.
No. We will have 30 BBQ teams working hard to feed you. There will also be a variety of beverages for sale, including coffee, shave ice, water, lemonade, beer and wine.
Yes! There will be specific activities for kids and prizes to be won! Haydu Park has a great playground as well.
Yes! If parking fills up at Haydu Park, you can park across the street as long as you use the designated crosswalk. Please do not leave valuables in your car as we cannot be held responsible for theft.
No. There is no smoking or vaping at Haydu Park.
We take both cash and credit at the main event tent. All market vendors should accept both as well but if you need an ATM, the nearest one is at Fibre Federal Credit Union on 1st Street in downtown Kalama.
You cannot stay overnight at the park unless you are one of the vendors or BBQ teams. There are lots of nearby overnight accommodations and some may even offer a discount if you say you are attending the Big Smoke! Camp Kalama RV and campground is less than a mile away. There are several Air BnBs as well as the Kalama Harbor Lodge, Kalama Hotel, and One55Elm. Longview, Kelso, and Woodland have additional hotels.
On Saturday, the teams are there to feed you all kinds of BBQ delights! Food will be available from 11 am - 6 pm.
On Sunday, some teams are cooking for you from 11 am - 4 pm, but all teams are competing.
Turn in times are as follows:
This means they may not be able to attend to you at these times, but once they turn in their meat they will have all the left over competition meat to sell to you. So please be patient with them. It will be worth the wait!
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