Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off

07/25/2026

Come get you some tasty barbecue!downtown Deer Lodge today, Saturday, July 25 noon to 4.

06/23/2026

Our 2025 Grand Champion Bird Dog BBQ took home over $2000 in prize money! 💰💲
Do you have what it takes to smoke the competition?🫕
🏆Can you unseat the Champ?🏆

Back yard pitmasters and professionals alike are invited to compete!
9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival, bigger and better than ever!
Bring the family and meet friends! Come to Historic Down Town Deer Lodge and experience a day filled with fun, food, art, music, brews, and much more!
There's a lot going on this year.
> Great Food - Contestants sell samples of their delectable creations.
> Fun Run - Hoofin' it on the Ranch takes you on a 3k, 5k, or 10k adventure through the enchanting Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Hosted by Powell County Parks Board.
> Brew Fest - Indulge in craft beers from around the region, hosted by The Corner Bar.
> Live Music - Enjoy the unique rock stylings of Montana Deluxe. Montana Deluxe has been making music since 2005, expressing its love of American roots music, from Surf, to Country, Soul, Gulf Coast Swamp Pop, Blues and Jazz and Rock and Roll. The band originated as the "house" band at Butte's Silver Dollar Saloon. Bryant McGregory and Bill Dwyer have been constants in an evolving band line up. Montana Deluxe has hosted the notorious after hours jam at the Montana Folk Festival for close to 25 years. They have played with literally hundreds of visiting festival performers including most recently members of Cyril Neville's band.
> Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival - Feed your soul with art, as artists of various age and ability express themselves in a temporary median for your enjoyment.
> Vendors - Local vendors show off their wears as you peruse their bountiful booths for treasure.
🍗Cook off begins at 6pm July 24th with meat inspection.
🍗Judging starts at 10:20am July 25th.
🍗Event is open to the public from 12 to 4pm.
🍺Brewfest serves from 12 to 4pm.
🛍 Various vendors will be featured from 12 to 4pm.
🏃🏽‍♂️Hoofin' it on the Ranch Fun Run starts at 8am.
🎨Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival- Artists can start as early as 6am, and have until 4pm to complete their work. Prizes will be awarded for 1st thru 3rd place. All ages are invited to participate. Entry is $15 and comes with a 12 piece box of vibrant Ambrite chalk. Entry can be purchased ahead of the event (with choice of location), or at the time of the event.
For more information, official rules, vendor and cook applications or to register online, https://www.discoverdeerlodge.org/ and click the "Events" tab at the top of the screen select "Cookin' on the Clark Fork", or go to 9th Annual 9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival and click the "Get Tickets" tab, you can also register by mail at PO Box 382, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or contact Rian King-Chavez at 406-506-8280.

Thank you 2026 9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival sponsors!
Mountain Bluebird Presents Coca-Cola Bottling of Butte The Corner Bar Western Meat Block City of Deer Lodge

06/23/2026

Thank you 2026 9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival sponsors!

Mountain Bluebird Presents Coca-Cola Bottling of Butte The Corner Bar Western Meat Block City of Deer Lodge

Without the support of our local businesses and community, events like this couldn't happen.

Looking forward to another amazing festival! July 25th in Historic Down Town Deer Lodge.

05/05/2026

Back yard pitmasters and professionals alike are invited to compete!
9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival is back, bigger and better than ever!
Bring the family and meet friends! Come to Historic Down Town Deer Lodge and experience a day filled with fun, food, art, music, brews, and much more!
There's a lot going on this year.
> Great Food - Contestants sell samples of their delectable creations.
> Fun Run - Hoofin' it on the Ranch takes you on a 3k, 5k, or 10k adventure through the enchanting Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Hosted by Powell County Parks Board.
> Brew Fest - Indulge in craft beers from around the region, hosted by Mount Powell Tap Room.
> Live Music - Enjoy the unique rock stylings of Montana Deluxe. Montana Deluxe has been making music since 2005, expressing its love of American roots music, from Surf, to Country, Soul, Gulf Coast Swamp Pop, Blues and Jazz and Rock and Roll. The band originated as the "house" band at Butte's Silver Dollar Saloon. Bryant McGregory and Bill Dwyer have been constants in an evolving band line up. Montana Deluxe has hosted the notorious after hours jam at the Montana Folk Festival for close to 25 years. They have played with literally hundreds of visiting festival performers including most recently members of Cyril Neville's band.
> Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival - Feed your soul with art, as artists of various age and ability express themselves in a temporary median for your enjoyment.
> Vendors - Local vendors show off their wears as you peruse their bountiful booths for treasure.
🍗Cook off begins at 6pm July 24th with meat inspection.
🍗Judging starts at 10:20am July 25th.
🍗Event is open to the public from 12 to 4pm.
🍺Brewfest serves from 12 to 4pm.
🛍 Various vendors will be featured from 12 to 4pm.
🏃🏽‍♂️Hoofin' it on the Ranch Fun Run starts at 8am.
🎨Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival- Artists can start as early as 6am, and have until 4pm to complete their work. Prizes will be awarded for 1st thru 3rd place. All ages are invited to participate. Entry is $15 and comes with a 12 piece box of vibrant Ambrite chalk. Entry can be purchased ahead of the event (with choice of location), or at the time of the event.

For more information, official rules, vendor and cook applications or to register online, https://www.discoverdeerlodge.org/ and click the "Events" tab at the top of the screen select "Cookin' on the Clark Fork", or go to 9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival and click the "Get Tickets" tab, you can also register by mail at PO Box 382, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or contact Rian King-Chavez at 406-506-8280.

05/02/2026

It's official
9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival returns Sat. July 25th, 2026!
🍗Cook off begins at 6pm July 24th with meat inspection.
🍗Judging starts at 10:20am July 25th.
🍗Event is open to the public from 12 to 4pm.
🍺Brewfest serves from 12 to 4pm.
🛍Various vendors will be featured from 12 to 4pm.
🏃🏽‍♂️Hoofin' it on the Ranch Fun Run starts at 8am July 25th
🎨Chalk Art Festival - Artists can start as early as 5am, and have until 3pm to complete their work. Prizes will be awarded for 1st thru 3rd place. All ages are invited to participate. Entry is $15 and comes with a 12 piece box of vibrant Ambrite chalk. Entry can be purchased ahead of the event (with choice of location), or at the time of the event.
For more information or an registration form visit 9th Annual Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival, https://www.discoverdeerlodge.org/events-calendar, you can also contact Rian King-Chavez at 406-506-8280 or Kirk Hayes 360-224-7289.

07/21/2025

We have several volunteer slots still open.

Tasty Tokens: 1 needed 4pm to 6pm

Beer Tokens: 2 needed 4pm to 5pm

Drink Trailer: 1 needed from 2pm to 4pm

Chalk Art: 1 needed from 8am to 10am

We also need help to breakdown at the end of the event, at 6pm. We have to move fast, so the streets can open back up, so the more is better.

06/22/2025

06/22/2025

Back yard pitmasters and professionals alike are invited to compete!

Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival is back, bigger and better than ever!
Bring the family and meet friends! Come to Historic Down Town Deer Lodge and experience a day filled with fun, food, art, music, brews, and much more!
There's a lot going on this year.
> Great Food - Contestants sell samples of their delectable creations.
> Fun Run - Hoofin' it on the Ranch takes you on a 3k, 5k, or 10k adventure through the enchanting Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Hosted by Powell County Parks Board.
> Brew Fest - Indulge in craft beers from around the region, hosted by Mount Powell Tap Room.
> Live Music - Enjoy the unique rock stylings of Montana Deluxe. Montana Deluxe has been making music since 2005, expressing its love of American roots music, from Surf, to Country, Soul, Gulf Coast Swamp Pop, Blues and Jazz and Rock and Roll. The band originated as the "house" band at Butte's Silver Dollar Saloon. Bryant McGregory and Bill Dwyer have been constants in an evolving band line up. Montana Deluxe has hosted the notorious after hours jam at the Montana Folk Festival for close to 25 years. They have played with literally hundreds of visiting festival performers including most recently members of Cyril Neville's band.
> Corn Hole Competition - Show off your skills and compete against some of the best in the region.
> Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival - Feed your soul with art, as artists of various age and ability express themselves in a temporary median for your enjoyment.
> Vendors - Local vendors show off their wears as you peruse their bountiful booths for treasure.
🍗Cook off begins at 6pm July 25th with meat inspection.
🍗Judging starts at 10:20am July 26th.
🍗Event is open to the public from 12 to 6pm.
🍺Brewfest serves from 12 to 6pm.
🛍 Various vendors will be featured from 12 to 6pm.
🏃🏽‍♂️Hoofin' it on the Ranch Fun Run starts at 8am.
New!!!
🎨Deer Lodge Chalk Art Festival- Artists can start as early as 6am, and have until 4pm to complete their work. Prizes will be awarded for 1st thru 3rd place. All ages are invited to participate. Entry is $15 and comes with a 12 piece box of vibrant Ambrite chalk. Entry can be purchased ahead of the event (with choice of location), or at the time of the event.
For more information, official rules, vendor and cook applications or to register online, visit discoverdeerlodge.org and click the "Events" tab at the top of the screen select "Cookin' on the Clark Fork", or go to Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-off, Brewfest, and Chalk Art Festival and click the "Get Tickets" tab, you can also register by mail at PO Box 382, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or contact Rian King-Chavez at 406-506-8280.