The Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta is an attraction for locals and visitors alike to experience the sights and delicious smells of a semi-professional BBQ Contest!  The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest is a State Sanctioned Championship Barbecue Location for the State of Michigan on Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 in Balyeat Field in downtown Sparta.  In addition to this mouth watering event, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show, live music and entertainment, kids games, and more! The Sparta Sizzlin’ Barbecue Cook-Off is coordinated by the Harvest on the Ridge volunteers, Sparta Chamber of Commerce, and by staff members from Unity Security.

Click below for complete event information.  Can’t find something you need?  Contact Roger Gren at Unity Security at (616) 887-7767.

BBQ Entry Form

Judge Request Form

Kids Cook-off Registration (Postponed for 2010)

Kansas City Barbecue Rules & Regulations

Food Vendor Application Form

Please check out the Event Sponsors!  The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest couldn’t happen without their support!

Event Sponsor’s Info (coming soon!) 

Would you like to be part of an event that will draw from around the Midwest?  Click here for the Sponsor Registration Form. 

Kansas City BBQ Society WEbsite: www.kcbs.us

As a gateway to “the Ridge“, a geographically prime and pristine area for growing fruits and vegetables, Sparta is a perfect place to find fresh picked and u-pick grown crops each Fall, follow color tours bursting with brilliant reds and yellows, and create a memory picking out your very own pumpkin to carve.  In addition to the world class farmers markets and farm tours, the Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta is an attraction for locals and visitors alike to smell and experience the professionals at work.  In addition, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show hosted by the Regional Arts Guild of Sparta, live music, kids games, and much more.

FULL HARVEST EVENT PROGRAM (PDF)

Directions to Sparta Harvest on the Ridge (coming soon!)

Balyeat Field: 190 Olmstead, Sparta, MI 49345

Rogers Park: 75 N Union Street, Sparta, MI 49345

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Scarecrow Contest: register by September 22!

Harvest Bouncers & kids games (Village Parking Lot) 6-9 pm

Tickets: $2 each, 3 for $5, or Unlimited Day Long Pass $7.00!

Live Band: Decades! 7-10 pm (Balyeat Field)

Michigan Beer & Wine Tasting Tent 5 – 11 pm (Balyeat Field)

Thunder 94.5 On Site!  Win Prizes from the popular Country Music Radio Station!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Art in the Park Show (Rogers Park) 9-5 pm

Sparta Area Farmers Markets Tour (Schedule coming soon!)

Apple Packing Shed Tour (Schedule coming soon!)

See how apples are picked from trees, shipped to packing sheds, weighed, measured, and washed before being packed up for sale in local grocery stores!

Daffodil Hill Bulb Planting Free Family Activity

BBQ Contest (Balyeat Field) 10-4 pm

BBQ Chicken, Ribs, & more available at BBQ Booths.

Harvest BBQ Stuffed Pork Loin Recipe

Apple Pie Baking Contest (Balyeat Field) Winner announced at 2 pm.

Scarecrow Contest: register by September 22!

Harvest Bouncers & Kids Games (Village Parking Lot) 11-3 pm

Downtown Pumpkin Painting Kids Activity (Village Parking Lots) 11 – 3 pm

Live Concert & Entertainment Line Up:

Guinness Brothers Band 11 – 3 pm

Harvest Sponsorship Form now available here!