SmokeSlam pauses in 2026 to plan one unified Memphis BBQ festival for 2027 at Tom Lee Park; teams ma
Memphis, TN – January 13, 2026: Mempho Presents today announced that SmokeSlam BBQ
Festival will pause in 2026 to allow time for SmokeSlam and Memphis In May/World
Championship BBQ Cooking Contest (WCBCC) to plan and organize a combined event in 2027.
Community feedback from sponsors, the business sector, and city leaders has reinforced the
need for a single, unified BBQ celebration rather than competing events on the same weekend.
Discussions are underway with multiple Memphis stakeholders to explore options for
one unified event to keep fans coming back to downtown Memphis and the river at Tom
Lee Park.
Mempho Presents also confirmed that RiverBeat Music Festival will return to the banks of the
Mississippi River at Tom Lee Park from May 1-3, for its third year in 2026, continuing its rapid
rise as the largest music festival in the mid-south.
CEO of Mempho Presents, Kevin McEniry, emphasized the company’s commitment to
Memphis:
“We understand the importance of events to drive visitors to downtown Memphis. A
bustling city center is good for businesses, the local economy and community
morale. By pausing SmokeSlam in 2026, we are allowing sufficient time to engage
all parties, to strengthen the logistics, and plan to deliver a unified BBQ festival in
2027, at Tom Lee Park. We are deeply grateful for the BBQ community’s support,
and we want to reassure all previous SmokeSlam teams that they will receive
automatic entry into the WCBCC in 2026, if they choose to register.
“RiverBeat continues full speed ahead for 2026, and will be the anchor event in the
May programming under the banner of Mempho Presents in 2027.”
Details will be released soon regarding the line-up for RiverBeat, which promises to deliver a
high octane fan experience, as years before.
SmokeSlam teams who would like further information regarding the SmokeSlam pause and
registration for WCBCC in 2026, can contact info@memphopresents.com.
About Mempho Presents
Proudly independent, Mempho Presents curates world-class music festivals and cultural events that draw
on the rich legacy of Memphis to inspire immersive and authentic fan experiences, connecting people
through the universal language of music, performance, and culture to create lasting memories. Mempho
Presents is a division of Forward Momentum. For more information, visit https://memphopresents.com