Nisswa Fall Festival & Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge 2026
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Nisswa ushers in fall with the 51st Annual Nisswa Fall Festival on Saturday, September 19. The 21st annual Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge is also part of this annual fall tradition. Start your day with breakfast hosted by A & W on behalf of the Nisswa Fire Department. You can compete in the bean bag tournament, bocce tournament, head to Pioneer Village for KIDZONE, Fall Artisan & Crafters Market, music and more activities and memory making.
The tantalizing smell of barbecued ribs wafts throughout the town as teams compete in the Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge. After ribs are judged, the public gets its chance to taste the creations. Live music throughout the day continues into the night with a live outdoor concert featuring a local favorite, Wyld Ryce!
VIP tickets on sale here: https://business.nisswa.com/events/details/nisswa-smokin-hot-bbq-vip-ticket-sales-54735?calendarMonth=2025-09-01&fbclid=IwY2xjawMj-Z5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQUm05R2NqbVYzV0hBMFNjAR4DUuA35dcNgu90ZeuvB3hIAClP6_hOjgDFyL6XT4otvGqwWGBdrBPdeUzXrQ_aem_ex_NjKT93SM-EPRcBi6tUg
GUARANTEED PAYOUTS
1st - $2,000
2nd - $1,000
3rd - $700
VIP Choice - $150
People's Choice - $150
THANK YOU to our Sponsors:
Schaefer's Foods
The Smokestack BBQ Supply Store
Quarterdeck Resort on Gull Lake
Nisswa Ace Hardware
Nic's Works Tree Service
RW Jewelers
PartyTime Rental
Nisswa Dairy Queen
Nisswa American Legion
Camp Nisswa
First Western Bank & Trust
Knotty Pine Bakery
Ye Old Pickle Factory
Images
Date and Time
Saturday Sep 19, 2026
Saturday, September 19th
Schedule of Events
7:00am-10:30am Nisswa Fire Department Breakfast
A&W Nisswa
10:00am-4:00pm Fall Artisan and Crafters Market
Pioneer Village
10:00am Medallion Hunt Clue Posted
The Smokestack BBQ Supply Store
11:00am-12:00pm Live Music - Matt Karlgaard
Pioneer Village
12:00pm-4:00pm KIDZONE Bounce House, Face Painting & Balloon Animals ($5, Ages 2-12)
Pioneer Village
12:00pm Medallion Hunt Clue Posted
The Smokestack BBQ Supply Store
12:00pm-8:00pm Beer Garden
The Pickle Factory Parking Lot
12:00pm-1:00pm Live Music - Matt Karlgaard
Pioneer Village
12:00pm Bocce Ball Tournament Registration ($10 per person/Teams of 4)
Information Tent
12:30pm Cornhole Tournament Registration ($10 per person/Teams of 2)
Information Tent
1:00pm Cornhole Tournament sponsored by Nisswa Ace Hardware
The Pickle Factory Parking Lot
1:00pm Bocce Ball Tournament sponsored by Nic’s Works Tree Service
The Pickle Factory Bocce Ball Courts
1:00pm-3:30pm Live Music - The Mark Peterson Band
The Pickle Stage
3:00pm Medallion Hunt Clue Posted
The Smokestack BBQ Supply Store
2:00pm-4:00pm BBQ Ticket Sales - 5/$10, 10/$20,15/$30 or $65 VIP
Ticket Trailer
3:00pm Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Knotty Pine Bakery
The Pickle Factory Parking Lot
4:00pm-8:00pm Live Music - Wyld Ryce
The Pickle Stage
4:15pm Smokin’ Hot BBQ Contest VIP Eating
Party Time Rental VIP Tent
4:45pm Smokin’ Hot BBQ General Eating
Smokin’ Hot BBQ area
6:30pm Smokin’ Hot BBQ Contest winners announced
The Pickle Stage
Enjoy pretty good shopping, dining, treats, activities and more throughout Nisswa!
Fees/Admission
BBQ Team registration - $150
Website
Contact Information
Nisswa Chamber of Commerce, 218-963-2620
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