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BBQ COMPETITION | CLASSIC CARS | BLUES MUSIC New Event

BBQ COMPETITION | CLASSIC CARS | BLUES MUSIC New Event

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About

Tucson’s Largest BBQ Competition.Over 150 Classic and Custom Cars.Blues Music on the Main Stage.
 
Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival is more than a car show—it’s a celebration of creativity in every form. Streets lined with more than 150 rolling works of art. Smokers firing as pitmasters compete for top honors. Live blues setting the rhythm all day long. Cold beer, artisan vendors, and interactive art experiences bring it all together in one unforgettable winter festival.
Every ticket includes access to live music, family activities, the Tucson Foodie BBQ Competition, and a vote in the People’s Choice Car Award.
Volunteers Needed | Register Here
BBQ COMPETITION
Tucson Foodie BBQ CompetitionArt State Arizona is now accepting applications for BBQ teams to compete in Tucson’s largest BBQ competition, presented in partnership with Tucson Foodie.
We are selecting up to 12 BBQ teams, including traditional, regional, Korean BBQ, vegetarian or plant-based, and creative fusion concepts.
Cash Awards:Judges’ Choice: $300 (1st Place) / $150 (2nd Place)People’s Choice: $300 (1st Place) / $150 (2nd Place)
Winners also receive a free booth at a future Art State Arizona festival.
This is a juried competition with professional judging and public tasting, drawing an estimated 3,000–5,000 attendees. High visibility, strong sales potential, and serious bragging rights.
Register to Participate in the BBQ Competition
CLASSIC CAR COMPETITION
Car enthusiasts are invited to showcase their vehicles alongside more than 170 classic and custom cars and compete for artist-made trophies across more than 30 award categories, including Best Paint, Best Engine, and People’s Choice.

Registration Includes: Two adult admission lanyards, Coffee, morning snacks, and bottled water, Five raffle tickets (over $2,000 in prizes), Commemorative dash plaque, One limited-edition event T-shirt, Reserved exhibitor parking, Eligibility for all judged awards
Standard Pricing (January 1–26, 2026) Pavement Parking: $55 Dirt Parking: $40
No day-of-event registrations. Space will sell out at the festival. 
All vehicles must arrive by 9:15 AM and remain on-site until 3:00 PM
Register Your Custom or Classic Car Here
LIVE BLUES ON THE MAIN STAGE
Live music is the heartbeat of the festival, with blues performances throughout the day that blend soulful tradition with electrifying modern sound.
10:00–11:00 AM – Garrett James & the Wanderers11:30 AM–12:45 PM – Bob Corritore & Jimi “Primetime” Smith...
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IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com