The Coalfields Cookoff
The WV State BBQ Championships & ATV Festival
Get Your Grubb On!
Sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS), the 5th Annual Coalfields Cookoff will feature professional and backyard BBQ cook teams, a prize purse of over $13,000!
Spectators will enjoy live music, several family-friendly games, a beer garden, a ticketed BBQ Tasting event, and ATV/SXS activities. Kickstarting the weekend on Friday evening, festival goers can enjoy live music, a beer garden, and array of food trucks and street vendors.
Why Come to the WV Coalfields Cookoff?
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Who: Everybody! KCBS Competitors, Backyard Cookers, and You!
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What: Competitors and attendees will experience the hospitality of CoalTown USA!
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When: June 6-7, 2025
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Where: Welch, WV (CoalTown, USA) in Martha Moore Park
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Why: Why Not? BBQ, Beer, Fun, Food, Music and More! What's Not to Love?
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Remembering
Jason Grubb, JD.
The Inspiration behind, Get your "GRUBB" On...
Jason will forever be remembered as the inspiration behind the WV Coalfields Cookoff. A native son of Welch, WV. He was the business development specialist for the city. While he passed away too soon in October of 2021, Jason was the driving force behind several major initiatives for McDowell County. In addition to conceptualizing the WV Coalfields Cookoff, bringing the Crossroads Smithsonian Exhibit to Welch, planting lavender throughout the city as a micro-agricultural project, revitalizing the Pocahontas Theatre (and returning the original Wurlitzer Organ to his rightful home in Welch, he also conceptualized the vision of remembering our past, while celebrating our future in CoalTown, USA. He was devoted to his hometown and is greatly missed. His legacy lives on through his family and his dream for Welch to thrive. Learn more about Jason here.
KCBS BBQ TEAMS
BBQ Teams
In addition to accumulating points for KCBS end of year awards, participating KCBS BBQ Teams compete to win cash prizes from the local organizer, the City of Welch. The highest number of points accumulated in the KCBS contest are calculated and a Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and first through fifth place in each meat type will receive awards and cash prizes. The winner of this contest will be invited to go to the American Royal and will be entered in the Jack Daniels contest lotto.
Calling all KCBS Certified Barbecue Judges! WV Coalfields Cookoff has opened applications to join its Judging Team for the BBQ Contest. Judging will be held Saturday and you need to be onsite by 10am. WV Coalfields Cookoff is looking for judges that have taken a KCBS certification course and are KCBS members in good standing. If you are interested in becoming certified, we are considering hosting a class in the spring so please contact us!
TASTING Tickets
$10 KCBS BBQ Tasting at 2pm on Saturday! Kids are Free (12 or younger) $5 discounts for veterans and first responders. Bring your appetite and we will help you fill your belly with the best BBQ in the state!
Two full days of fun! Bring your chair, grab a beer and listen to music on Friday and come back for the vendors, food trucks, and more, including a KCBS BBQ Tasting at 2pm on Saturday!
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BBQ JUDGES
SPONSOR VENDOR TICKETS
SPONSORS
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the City of Welch Coalfields Cookoff event. Sponsorship of this event offers your business or organization maximum exposure to a large local and visiting audience. Get social media and radio advertising and media exposure. Be part of this special event and commit to a sponsorship today!
Vendors
We are seeking food vendor applications for the event. Use of an approx. 30' X 30' space to accommodate your food trailer. We hope you'll serve BBQ as part of your menu, but all types of food vendors will be welcomed. Non Food Vendors are welcomed also! Crafters, ATV accessories dealers, BBQ accessories dealers and more are a great fit for our event!
TASTING Tickets
$10 KCBS BBQ Tasting at 2pm on Saturday! Kids are Free (12 or younger) $5 discounts for veterans and first responders for two days of fun! Bring your chair, grab a beer and listen to music on Friday and come back for the vendors, food trucks, and more, including a KCBS BBQ Tasting at 2pm on Saturday!
ATVS LODGING VOLUNTEER
ATV RIDES!
ATV's, Side-by-Sides, and Quads are welcomed in the City of Welch, WV. With a connector trail to the Hatfield McCoy trail near the festival grounds.
Also, new this year... COAL TOWN ATV RENTALS are offering show trail rides for $10 a person, Friday and Saturday, starting at 11am (bottom of Martha Moore Riverfront Park)
LODGING
Welch offers hotels in downtown, as well as, several cabins and B&B's. For alternate choices, visit the lodging page of the McDowell County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Pocahontas Motel
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(304)-436-2250
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3731 Stewart Street, Welch, WV
Count Gilu Motel
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(304)-436-3041
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Stadium Drive, Welch, WV
VOLUNTEERS
We want you! Ask a friend to join you for a day of helping at the City of Welch Coalfields Cookoff Festival. Some possible assignments include gate admission, attendee assistance, helping vendors set up and parking coordination. Volunteers helping all day receive free admission, lunch, and a t-shirt!
Volunteers must be 14 years or older. Volunteers wanting to take part in the City of Welch Coalfields Cookoff Festival should sign up using the volunteer form.
We'd Love to Email You Occasionally!
