Even a little Tennessee mud and some springtime rain couldnāt keep the crowds away from Murfreesboroās favorite annual gathering of smoke, sauce, and service.
On April 25ā26, 2025, the 13th Annual Boro BBQ Festival lit up Hop Springs Beer Park with non-stop flavor, fun, and fellowship. Hosted by the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club, this much-anticipated event welcomed more than 4,000 guestsāeven with soggy conditions underfootāand raised an incredible $100,000 for local nonprofits serving Rutherford County.
Whether you came for championship ribs, ice-cold craft beer, or to experience middle Tennesseeās only Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)-sanctioned competition, the 2025 Boro BBQ Festival delivered in every way. Weāre incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to support our mission of serviceāand to share in a weekend of unforgettable BBQ.
Letās take a look back at some of the highlights that made this year so special.
š„ KCBS-Sanctioned BBQ Competition: Who Took Home the Trophies?
This yearās barbecue competition saw dozens of the regionās top pitmasters face off across the KCBSās four official categories: Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder (Pulled Pork), and Brisket. Despite battling slick ground and damp skies, our teams served up some of the best bites weāve ever judged.
Here are the top winners from this yearās contest (borobbqfest.com):
-āÆš Grand Champion: Hot Cole’s BBQ -āÆš„ Reserve Grand Champion: Rufus Teague BBQ Team -āÆš Chicken 1st Place: Big James Kitchen -āÆš„© Ribs 1st Place: Hogs B Hatinā -āÆš Pork 1st Place: What the Pork -āÆš„ Brisket 1st Place: Checkered Pig -āÆš Anything Butt 1st Place: Smokinā Bandits BBQ
Each of these teams not only brought mouthwatering flavor profiles but exemplified the heart of competitive barbecueācommunity, passion, and good vibes under pop-up tents and smokers working overtime.
For a full list of team scores and rankings, check out the official results on borobbqfest.com or via KCBS.
š PEOPLEāS CHOICE AWARD WINNER: MJās Ribs (Booth A5)
A huge congratulations to MJās Ribs, our 2025 Peopleās Choice winner! Their legendary ribs had festival-goers lining up in the rain and handing over their tasting tokens with gusto. āThey had the perfect smoke ring, fall-off-the-bone texture, and a glaze that was just sweet enough,ā said one attendee.
The Peopleās Choice Tasting Tent has become one of the most beloved parts of the festival, offering guests a chance to interact directly with teams and take part in the judging. MJās Ribs rose above tough competition to capture the heartsāand taste budsāof visitors this year. Way to go!
š¶ Music, Mud, and Memories
Though the weather gave us some unexpected puddles and mud, spirits stayed high all weekend long. From the first note of live music on Friday evening to the final awards ceremony Saturday afternoon, the energy was unmistakably joyful.
Hop Springs Beer Park again proved to be the ideal venue, providing shelter from the rain, excellent beer on tap, and wide-open green space that remained welcoming even under gray skies. Festival guests enjoyed toe-tapping performances from local bands like Kellerās Trio and The Nate Jackson Band, while families took advantage of the newly added kidsā obstacle course, bounce houses, and face painting booths.
For those looking to warm up and dry off, the Hop Springs taproom offered a cozy hangout with house brews and rotating food vendorsāmaking sure everyone left full, happy, and maybe a little muddy.
š° $100,000 Raised for Rutherford County Nonprofits!
While the BBQ was front and center, the real purpose of the Boro BBQ Festival is giving backāand this year our community showed up in a big way.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors, generous donors, tasting tent participants, and all who purchased food, beer, merchandise, VIP passes, and entry into the Peopleās Choice competition, we shattered our fundraising goals and brought in $100,000 to distribute directly to local nonprofits. Thatās the largest total weāve ever raised!
These funds stay right here in Rutherford County, supporting initiatives in education, hunger relief, youth programs, mental health resources, and community development. Organizations big and small will benefit from the generosity you helped inspire.
š§āāļø Volunteer Power & Sponsor Thanks
Behind every plate served and tent pitched stood hundreds of volunteersāmembers of the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club, civic groups, students, and barbecue fansāwho braved the rain and kept this massive event running smoothly. From assisting with parking and signage to mopping wet walkways and helping guests find the Peopleās Choice tent, they went above and beyond, providing service with a smile.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to our sponsors, especially:
-āÆMiddle Tennessee Electric -āÆAscend Federal Credit Union -āÆOld South Properties -āÆHop Springs Beer Park
Their continued support is a cornerstone of our success. We encourage festivalgoers to support these businesses throughout the year.
šø Festival Favorites and Fan Moments
Some of the most cherished memories this year didnāt come from trophies or brisketāthey came from the little things: toddlers trying ribs for the first time, old friends reconnecting over a shared plate, and pitmasters inviting fans into their pop-up kitchens for tips and selfies.
Be sure to follow us on social @borobbqfestival (Facebook and Instagram), where weāll be sharing photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes highlights from the 2025 festival. If you have your own photos or stories to share, tag us or email info@borobbqfest.comāwe love to feature our amazing community.
š Looking Ahead: Save the Date for 2026!
Weāre already looking forward to next year! The 14th Annual Boro BBQ Festival is set for:
š Saturday, May 2, 2026 š Hop Springs Beer Park, Murfreesboro, TN
Bigger, better (and hopefully drier!)āwe canāt wait to welcome back favorites and invite new faces to the grill. Team registration, volunteer applications, vendor forms, and sponsorship opportunities will open later this year. Stay updated at borobbqfest.com.
š Thank You, Murfreesboro
From rainboots to rib racks, 2025 proved once again that barbecueāand our communityāis stronger together. On behalf of the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club, thank you for making this yearās festival another incredible celebration of food, fun, and philanthropy. We are deeply proud of what we achieved together and honored to serve such a spirited, generous community.
Until next year, keep your smokers hot and your hearts full!
ā Written by the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club Communications Team š§ Contact: info@borobbqfest.com š Website: borobbqfest.com š± Follow us: @borobbqfestival šø Donate or Join Our Cause: Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club