BBQ, Blues & Bourbon · Riverfront Park · Oct 9 & 10
Smokin’the Sip
Pitmasters fire up the riverfront, blues rolls off the stage, and the smoke drifts down the Escatawpa all day. Moss Point Main Street’s signature BBQ festival.
What it is
Smoke on the water, blues in the air.
Grilling teams from across the South set up along the Moss Point riverfront and compete for cash and trophies while the whole River City eats, listens, and gathers. It is a BBQ cook-off with a festival wrapped around it: live blues, a whole hog on the fire, and family activities all down the riverfront.
Entry to the festival is free. Wristbands are required for the tasting, and VIP wristbands add bourbon tastings, the VIP tent, and more. Both are on sale now at Go Coast Events.
On the Mississippi Blues Trail
Bourbon, blues, and a whole hog.
Moss Point sits on the Mississippi Blues Trail, and Smokin’ the Sip leans all the way into it. Expect a stage full of blues and soul, bourbon tastings for the VIP crowd, and pitmasters working the fire from morning to night.
This year the night gets even bigger: the Levitt AMP Moss Point Music Series brings Grammy winners Tank & The Bangas to the same riverfront the same evening.
From the 2025 festival
Smoke, sauce, and the whole River City.
On the day
What to expect.
Championship BBQ
Teams compete across categories for cash, trophies, and bragging rights.
Live blues
A full stage of blues, soul, and Gulf Coast sound all day and night.
Whole hog and vendors
A whole-hog roast, food trucks, and cold drinks down the riverfront.
Family fun
Cornhole, mascots, and games on the lawn for the kids.
“Events like this are exactly what drive downtown development.”The City of Moss Point
The whole River City, gathered around the fire.
Wristbands, Vendors & TeamsHow it grew
From a handful of grills to a signature festival.
It started small, as Grillin’ in the River City, a handful of teams grilling downtown. It grew every year, and in 2025 it was reborn as Smokin’ the Sip: a bigger cook-off, a bigger stage, and a real festival on the riverfront, built by Moss Point Main Street and a committee of local business owners and BBQ veterans.
The city calls it a signature event, and for good reason. It brings thousands downtown, fills the restaurants and shops, and puts Moss Point’s riverfront on full display.
Plan your day
Come hungry.
- Riverfront ParkDowntown Moss Point, on the Escatawpa.
- October 9 & 10Friday evening kicks it off, Saturday brings the full competition. Watch our channels for the schedule.
- Free entry, wristbands for the tastingGetting in is free. General admission and VIP tasting wristbands are on sale at Go Coast Events.
- Stay for the eveningBlues on the stage until the last plate is served.
More on the river