GRUB FIRST, BREWS LATER. Start and end your September right with the first-time BBQ Fest, slated for Sept. 6, and annual fave Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest, returning Sept. 19-20. (Oktoberfest photos by Katie Thompson, barbecue photo by Andrea Paulseth)

If Chippewa Falls does one thing exceptionally well, it would be Oktoberfest. Before celebrating its 22nd annual German-style, beer-drinkin’ festivities this year from Sept. 19-20, the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds venue will first bring a brand-new grub event to the area on Sept. 6: BBQ Fest.

BBQ Fest will be exactly what it sounds like, inviting all meat-lovin’ foodies to enjoy – and even compete in – the barbecue-focused event. Longtime Executive Director Rusty Volk said attendees can expect over a dozen participants in the inaugural event’s Backyard Grilling Competition.

“Attendees of BBQ Fest can purchase a sampling card for $20 to sample each (competitor’s) pork and vote for the People’s Choice award,” Volk said.

The competition will have three categories: pork, chicken, and ribs. While attendees will vote on who dishes up the best pork (sampling begins at 11am for the pork category and People’s Choice award), a panel of judges will have to decide the top chicken and ribs griller.

A total $2,400 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Backyard Grilling Competition.

Roughly 15-20 vendors, too, will be offering up their grub and a variety of products for sale during BBQ Fest as well, with activities like dancing, live music, and the Cornhole Tournament also slated.

BBQ Fest will feature one stilted, 20-team Cornhole Tournament with a cash prize, and another social tournament for folks who want to play for fun.

BBQ Fest Schedule

• 10am – Gates open to the public
• 11am – Public sampling from Backyard Grillers begins + Cornhole Tournament competitive division registration opens
• Noon – Cornhole Tournament begins
• 1pm – Backyard Grillers chicken turn-in to judges
• 1:30pm – Backyard Grillers ribs turn-in to judges
• 2pm – Cornhole Tournament social division registration opens
• 3pm – Live music: Worn Label band
• 3:30pm – Cornhole Tournament social division begins
• 4pm – People's Choice Award submission deadline
• 5pm – Backyard Grillers Competition winners announced
• 6pm – Live music: Resonate band
• 9pm – End of event

PROST! While this year marks Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest's 22nd annual celebration, a first-time moment is on its way, too: Introducing the Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest mascot, a friendly accordion-playing wiener dog. 

Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest will officially kickoff the morning of Friday, Sept. 19 over at The Leinie Lodge (124 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls). The beloved brewery site is also the starting point for the Oktoberfest procession, which will begin after this year’s Festmeister and Festmeisterin are announced. It will also be host to the Golden Keg, an annual favorite.

The procession will take participants and attendees – which includes the Chippewa River Trolley Co.’s vintage-style trolley for the first time this year! – to the fairgrounds where anticipated favorites await: Glockenspiel performances, German-style food vendors and brews, midway and carnival games, an artisan market, the keg-rolling and stein-holding contests, live music, and more.

So, if you thought back-to-school season reigned over September, you’d be wrong. ‘Round Chippewa Falls, that title goes to fall festivities and Oktoberfest. Check out the full multi-day lineup of events for Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest at nwsfa.com/oktoberfest.

Find all information related to BBQ Fest and Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest at nwsfa.com. Both Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds events (225 Edward St., Chippewa Falls) require admission tickets, varied pricing depending on age and event.