Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival - 2025

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Visit www.smokeontherail.com for more information.

We’re thrilled to invite you to join us for the third annual Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival, hosted by New Freedom Borough and Northern Central Railway! Building on the tremendous success of our inaugural and second-year events, this festival has become a cornerstone of our trail town community. Last year, over 75 top-tier BBQ competition teams gathered at Marge Goodfellow Park, turning New Freedom into a hub of mouthwatering flavors and community connection.

This year’s event, once again sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society as a State Championship, promises to be even more exciting. During the final weekend of July, Marge Goodfellow Park will come alive with Backyard and Master Series teams competing in classic BBQ categories like chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Meanwhile, attendees will enjoy savory food, live music, demonstrations, unique vendors, and fun activities for all ages.

Our mission remains steadfast: to create an immersive, family-friendly festival that highlights New Freedom’s vibrancy and supports our local economy. By encouraging festival-goers to explore our town and shop local, we aim to strengthen community ties while fostering economic growth. Proceeds from the festival will directly benefit New Freedom, further developing our thriving Trail Town Community.

Also check out other Festivals in New Freedom, Music events in New Freedom.