Maryland State BBQ Bash Postponed In Bel Air Amid Coronavirus

BEL AIR, MD — The Maryland State BBQ Bash has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Usually held in August, the event has been pushed back to October, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance announced Wednesday.

"We have continued to monitor the reopening initiatives happening nationally, as well as the guidance provided by Governor Hogan, and we believe that the date change will fall in line with the further re-opening phases," Christopher Pineda, executive director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, said in a statement. "We are excited that we can continue to plan and hopefully bring the Bash back this year."

The Maryland State BBQ Bash will be held Oct. 9 and 10, organizers said.

"We are hopeful that we can bring this event to the community this year in the safest way possible," Bel Air Downtown Alliance Board President Kim Austing said in a statement.

Typically the event brings about 50 teams from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond to compete for a chance to be in the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri. The American Royal plans to host competitors Sept. 17 to 20.

Food vendors, crafters and live music are also part of the attraction in Bel Air.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, gatherings greater than 10 are prohibited as of Wednesday, May 27, as the Bel Air Downtown Alliance made its announcement.

Postponement of the Maryland BBQ Bash comes after the Fourth of July festivities were canceled in Bel Air and Havre de Grace.

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