Pork butts, ribs, and other savory samplings? 'Fork Yeah!'
Tasting tickets are now available for purchase for the seventh annual Western Illinois University Family Day BBQ Competition & Tasting, 'Fork Yeah!,' Saturday, Sept. 13 as part of WIU's Family Day event. In addition to mouthwatering barbecue, the event will feature live music by Newhouse Band, activities for the entire family, a bags tournament, and the battle for the best BBQ, followed by the Fighting Leathernecks football game at 6 p.m.
In addition to the free activities – such as the ever-popular Kona shaved ice truck, inflatables, a photobooth, free tote bags by WIU's art department and a glitter tattoo artist – there will be vendors on site with a variety of items for purchase. Tasting tickets and more, including family packages, can be purchased in advance at wiu.edu/familyday (t-shirts – and BBQ – sell out quickly!).
“The Family Day BBQ is one of WIU’s most beloved traditions,” said Nick Katz, director of Student Engagement. “It’s an opportunity for our campus and community to come together and celebrate what makes Western so special — great food, great people, and great Leatherneck spirit. We thank our generous sponsors, and participants and we look forward to sampling the amazing food, and taking part in the day's events.'
'Fork Yeah!' BBQ Competition
Registration remains open for amateur and experienced 'pitmasters' to take part in the 2025 BBQ competition, sponsored by the WIU School of Agriculture, the University Union Board and Office of Student Engagement (OSE).
To participate, teams/ individuals must pay a $100 entry fee (student teams can enter at no cost) and bring their own smokers (wood, charcoal or electric) and tents. The University will provide tables, table service for the public tasting portion of the event and electricity. Thanks to sponsors, brisket and ribs are provided to each team to prepare as they wish for the tasting event and judging. Teams will also make a third dish of their choosing (using their own food), cooked on their smoker, for the People's Choice award. Past People's Choice dishes have included smoked mac and cheese; chicken wings; au gratin potatoes; pulled pork tacos, pork belly pizza, and fireball apple crisp. The BBQ portion of the contest (smoked brisket and ribs) are evaluated anonymously by judges off sight, while participants tasting the extra goodies vote for the People's Choice winner.
Last year's event featured more than 175 racks of ribs and 60 full briskets, totaling over 1,000 pounds of meat, and more than 3,000 tasting tickets sold. Food is served while supplies last. The 2025 event begins at 2 p.m. in Q-Lot. Pitmasters will set up in Q-Lot Friday, Sept. 12 and tend to their masterpieces throughout the night.
To date, the following teams have registered: Tooth Decay, Pepsi, Sodexo Smokers, OH! Sourdough & BBQ, Hy-Vee, Phat Daddy's BBQ, Shawdaddy's, McDonough County Farm Bureau, Alpha Gamma Rho, Sigma Alpha, and Alpha Gamma Sigma.
Sponsors for the 2025 event include Compeer Financial, Smithfield, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Clock Tower Community Bank, Illinois Farm Bureau, McDonough County Farm Bureau, McDonough District Hospital, Hy-Vee and Sodexo.
For more information, to register for the contest, purchase Family Day t-shirts, tasting tickets/ packages and more, visit wiu.edu/familyday.
