Santa Clara hosts Silicon Valley BBQ smackdown 2019

Soon the mouth-watering aroma of ribs and brisket will be wafting over Central Park.

One of the West Coast’s largest barbecue competitions — the Rotary Club-sponsored Silicon Valley BBQ Championships — will take over that Santa Clara venue this Friday and Saturday with slow-smoked meats, hot music and shaded beer tents.

On Friday, June 21, you can chat up the pitmasters from 4 to 10 p.m. and get some tips from them on cooking low and slow. People’s choice samples will be available, and the food court will be open. Live music by Phil in the Blanks and the Houserockers is planned from 5 to 10 p.m.

The big day is Saturday, June 22, when about 50 professional teams will compete, and many of them will sell tastes to the public. The 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. event also will feature a Food Alley with barbecue platters from local restaurants. Live music starts at 11 a.m. with Cocktail Monkeys, followed by Michael Beck and Cisco Kid.

These pro pitmasters from California and other states will vie for $25,000 in prize money and for Kansas City Barbeque Society points.

In the amateur competition, 33 backyard teams will be sharpening their smoking skills with tri-tip and chicken.

Also planned is a Santa Clara city competition with City Hall teams competing for the Mayor’s Cup. “Parks on Fire,” which has won the last two years, is the team to beat.

All proceeds from the event go to Rotary Foundation projects, including Christmas for Kids, Steps for Success, scholarships and veterans programs.

Details: Free admission, $10 parking. Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara. www.svbbq.com