Barbecue Battle Competition-teams from around the country cook-off all weekend for $25,000 in Cash, Prizes, and gigantic trophies in the National Pork Championship.  While the pros are doing their thing, backyard barbecuers can watch and learn or sit and relax under the luxurious cooking tent as award-winning chef Mark Salter of the Inn at Perry Cabin demonstrates the ultimate in pork recipes.  In Saturday’s DC Lottery Barbecue Challenge, chicken and beef are added to the mix.  During Sunday’s Memphis in May-sanctioned contest, the challenger’s smokers are filled with pork ribs, pork shoulder and whole hog.  And the Chinet People’s Choice Awards gives festival-goers a chance to vote for their favorite restaurant at the Battle and enter a drawing for fun barbecue-related prizes.  Multiple additional cooking stages feature a wide range of cooking entertainment and tasty samples.  The Sunday evening awards ceremony is the moment the teams are waiting for-when DC’s best pit masters hoist their trophies, their checks, and their bragging rights.

The Safeway Sampling Pavilion and the Safeway Demonstration and Music Stage is the festive center of the Battle.  Larger than ever, the pavilion features 30 free food samples, including new products and savory summer favorites.  At the stage, festival-goers will enjoy continuous entertainment including cooking demonstrations, music, magic and fashion shows.  The pavilion is surrounded by a host of unique cooking and food-related novelties like Johnsonville’s Big Taste Grill (the world’s largest traveling grill cooks 2,500 brats in an hour!), the popular Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Planters Peanut tour, the Ritz Cracker tour and more.

Stuff yourself silly on spectacular regional barbecue and traditional side dishes from across the country provided by specialty barbecue restaurants and caterers. No need for a map, an RV and tankfulls of gas when you can sample “Q” from across the US right at the Battle!  Event-goers can also fill out their ballots with their favorite barbecue purveyor in the Chinet People’s Choice Awards and enter to win great barbecue-related prizes.

Hot and cool music to lick your sauce-covered fingers by. The Battle is justly known for its musical line-up and with 30 top acts on three stages it’s hard not to find music that will knock your BBQ bib off! The Famous Dave’ Music Stage will feature international reggae superstars Third World along with a stellar line up of regional rock and reggae on Saturday. On Sunday, the music may be cool but vibe is still smokin’ with headliner smooth jazz maestro Slim Man, the elegant jazz stylings of Marcus Johnson, and the strong rhythms of jazz guitarist Earl Carter. The Washington Sports Club Music Stage features legendary rhythm and blues artists including the “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown on Saturday. On Sunday, headliner Michael Burks brings his Arkansas brand of soaring blues guitar and lived-it-all vocals to cap off a full day of the best local and regional blues artists.

Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille Big Cheese Tour is an exciting interactive experience for kids of all ages!  The adventure starts by walking through a replica of the Eiffel Tower into a state-of-the-art digital theatre where previews of the upcoming movie Ratatouille will be shown.  The Pixar animators demonstrating art and movie-making magic, kids cooking stage, giant inflatable Swiss cheese slide and animation giveaways will make it hard to leave this impressive spectacle!

The NBA Nation Tour and the NBA Jam Van bring an authentic NBA experience to the Battle with on court basketball action for all ages, interactive “compare yourself to the players” fun, a state-of-the-art video wall allowing touch screen access to the NBA’s greatest plays, and prizes.

Southern Living BBQ on Tour brings the secrets of national BBQ champ Troy Black to the Battle with his ”Learn to Q” demonstrations and free sampling that will teach everyone to grill like a pro!

Sun Trust’s Rock Climbing Wall-Gives people of all ages a free chance to go vertical during the Battle.

Jumpworks offers active fun for kids and adults with exciting trampoline harness jumping, a Palm Tree Climb, and the coolest Dragon Moon Bounce and giant slide on the East Coast.

Burt’s Bees Beautify Your World Tour offers a relaxing respite from more energetic Battle activities. Prepare to pick up your ribs in style with free hand massages, interactive beauty exhibits and free product samples.

Purina’s Rally to Rescue Tour-Just look for the giant inflatable dog and cat and take a few minutes to learn about proper pet care, and find your new best friend among the animals for adoption.

Crystal Light Pump It Up Mobile Tour- offers free cosmetic and digital instant style makeovers, a flavor bar and an opportunity to experience a flavor makeover with your water.

Also at the Battle are the Johnsonville World’s Largest Traveling Grill, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Chrysler’s Tour featuring the latest car and truck models, two Kitchen Craft cooking stages, The Colgate Bright Smiles Tour, Gillette Fusion and Venus Tours, the Old Glory Dining Tent, the Empowerment Zone with local and national non-profits, goodies and information from Ritz Crackers, Planter’s Peanuts, Geico and more.