June 6, 2025 - McDowell County is still recovering from the Feb. 15 flooding, but the City of Welch is ready for this weekend’s 4th Annual WV State BBQ Festival, the Coalfields Cookoff.

The event, which starts Friday evening and runs through Saturday, is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society for pro and backyard BBQ cook teams. The competition is for the West Virginia State Championship and includes a prize purse of $13,000.

It is also an event that, this year, will help raise money for flood recovery efforts.

Organizer Andrea Ball said proceeds from the event’s t-shirt sales will go toward that cause. The t-shirts will read “No flood or mud will keep us from getting our grubb on!”

Ball said if the festival makes a profit, some of that will help with recovery efforts as well.

Friday night kicks off with a fan favorite, *the Shane Thomas Band, and the Grass Monkeys will play on Saturday. Families can explore arts and crafts, unique collectibles, and local treasures. Food vendors will offer everything from classic funnel cakes to innovative BBQ-inspired dishes.

A beer garden will also be available.

Admission is free but the star attraction is the barbecue and tasting tickets can be purchased for $10.

Welch Mayor Harold McBride said the event has flourished over the past four years and now includes an ATV show.

“We’ve dedicated ourselves to creating an event that appeals to everyone,” he said, calling the event a BBQ destination, with almost 40 food trucks from around the East Coast offering a variety of BBQ flavors.

McBride said attendees can try those pulled pork offerings and on Saturday afternoon vote for their favorites.

“ATV enthusiasts can rev up their engines and join the excitement alongside the BBQ Cookoff. Word has spread about our exceptional BBQ festival, and the secret is officially out!”

The event is hosted by Welch and CoalTown USA. Visitors are encouraged to follow @wvcoalfieldscookoff on Facebook or Instagram to receive additional information and timely updates and visit our website at www.wvcoalfieldscookoff.com.