WhistleStop Festival returns this weekend with new home at John Hunt Park

HUNTSVILLE – Over 150 barbeque experts and connoisseurs are expected this weekend for the return of WhistleStop, Huntsville’s two-day battle of the barbeque. Set for Aug. 13-14, the event invites professional and amateur grill masters to show off their barbeque expertise as festival goers experience the excitement of a cook-off along with live music, food trucks and tasting opportunities.

WhistleStop 2021 offers a menu of music, barbeque and fun in a tailgate atmosphere and this year’s event will take place at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.

The barbeque competition features a professional division sanctioned by Kansas City Barbeque Society; the Shadetree (amateur) division, now judged by certified judges; and a WhistleStop Wing Thing where the public decides the winner.

Amateurs will serve up chicken and ribs, while the professionals will showcase their best chicken, pork, ribs and beef brisket to see who will be proclaimed the winner.

Kansas City BBQ Society Awards will be presented at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with Shadetree BBQ awards following at 8:30 p.m. Many of the backyard cooking teams competing in the Shadetree competition will have Boston butt samples available for tasting. Participating teams will be flying a flag at their cook site.

A new aspect of the 2021 event is the Mayor’s Cup competition as part of People’s Choice. Everyone attending WhistleStop on Saturday between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. will have a chance to “put your money where your mouth is.”
Another public tasting will be available on Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with the Wing Thing competition where festivalgoers will choose the winner of the best chicken wings.

In addition to the barbeque competition, there will be live music featuring national touring tribute bands and local acts with tributes to Santana, Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty and Lynyrd Skynyrd and food trucks for those who prefer other food options.

All activities take place at John Hunt Park located at 2151 Airport Road Southwest in Huntsville.

Festival hours are Friday 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission per person (ages 11+) is $10 per day. Serving as the principle fundraising event for the EarlyWorks Family of Museums, the Festival’s proceeds support the expansion of the Museum’s STEM education initiative.

For more information, visit www.whistlestopweekend.com.