Owensboro, the third largest city in the State of Kentucky, is the 'Barbecue Capital of the World' wedged on the banks of the Ohio River. The International BBQ Festival is an annual hickory-smoked affair hosted on the banks of the Owensboro Riverfront each second weekend of May. First held in 1979, the Owensboro International BBQ Festival has been showcased on Inside Edition, Discovery Channel's Travelers, and Southern Living. Teams of BBQ aficionados battle for 'Best In Show' titles like 'Best Chicken,' 'Best Mutton,' 'Best BBQ Burger,' and the coveted 'Governor's Cup for Best Overall BBQ Cooking Team' under the umbrella of 80,000. The International BBQ Festival also features musical entertainment, children's activities, car show, pageants, arts and crafts.
Owensboro prides it's population of friendly folks and rich history; Owensboro is the home of Moneta J. Sleet, Jr., the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. Moneta took home the prize in 1969 for the photo of Martin Luther King's widow and daughter at Dr. King's funeral. Featuring more than twenty annual community festivals and celebrations, the Daviess County community sports a tasty blend of Blue Grass, fine arts, and fancy dancing. Popular annual fests include the Yellowbanks Dulcimer Festival, the Owensboro River City Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Bluegrass Returns To It's Roots Celebration.
