Events Calendar

Nisswa Fall Festival & Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge 2025

Date: September 20, 2025

Sorry, public registration for this event has been closed.
Event Description Nisswa ushers in fall with the 50th Annual Nisswa Fall Festival on Saturday, September 20. The 20th 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


 


Event Location Downtown Nisswa
  view a map
Date/Time Information

Saturday, September 20th
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!

 
Contact Information
Nisswa Chamber of Commerce, 218-963-2620
Fees/Admission
BBQ Team registration - $150
Set a Reminder
email to

before the event.



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