BBQ contest, mutton bustin, cornhole plus team roping among the events
(Seguin) — The countdown to the Guadalupe County Fair is officially underway with its annual pre-fair events.
The Guadalupe County Fair Association’s kickoff weekend is set for Friday through Sunday at the fairgrounds.
Again, taking center stage is the 2026 State Championship BBQ Cookoff,
Tom Fox, a member of the barbecue committee, points out that the barbecue will continue regardless of the weather. He says organizers of all events this weekend have prepared for wet conditions, including parking options and access to electricity for campers and cookers.
Fox says this marks the 23rd year for the event with proceeds benefiting the fair association’s scholarship fund.
Although the weekend has arrived, Fox says there is still time for barbecue enthusiasts to sign up.
“We’re still taking registration forms, so they can go on our website, gcfair.org, and look under fair events, and down there under fair events, (you will)find the barbecue cookoff page,” said Fox. “We’ve got plenty of space out here on the grounds.”
This year’s cookoff also comes with an added incentive.
Fox says the fair board has committed to a $10,000 guaranteed payout in prize money.
“We’re going to pay $10,000 in prize money, no matter how much we bring in,” said Fox. “So. we’re going to pay the bill and hopefully this is going to help grow our cookoff, and we’ll have more cookers coming back next year.”
Friday evening includes the cooks’ choice and dessert categories, followed by Saturday’s schedule which includes jackpot beans, chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket.
Fox says the competition offers categories for experienced barbecue cooks as well as for those just looking for a fun weekend with family and friends.
“If you’re one of those people that like to cook and that’s what most of these people are, it’s families that come out here and cook,” said Fox. “It’s not a high-pressure event. Like I said, we have some good prize money this year, but some of these guys are just doing it for the fun and for getting their families out here to go have a good time for the weekend.”
The Future of Barbecue competition will also be held for youth and is a CBA-sanctioned event featuring boneless pork chops, with entries costing $25.
Awards are scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
The weekend, however, will feature more than just barbecue.
Saturday’s schedule also includes a Wild West Rodeo Kids Day, featuring activities such as box car races, cornhole, sack races, a funny farm race, stick horse stampede and pig wrangling. The activities begin with check-in at 10:30 a.m. and continue throughout the afternoon.
A cornhole tournament hosted by Backyard Jokerz, benefiting the fair’s scholarship fund, begins with check-in by noon. Cost is $25 per player. DJ Noel will also provide music from noon to 7 p.m.
The day also includes the Mutton Bustin’ Bonanza, with check-in at 3:30 p.m. and competition at 5 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 4, the fairgrounds will host the Guadalupe County Scholarship Roping Fiesta, with team roping beginning at 9 a.m. and breakaway roping beginning after 1 p.m. Books for the event open at 8 a.m.
The Guadalupe County Fair and PRC Rodeo will follow Oct. 8-11.
Again, registration information and online entries are available at gcfair.org.