2025 Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam & Car Show

The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, in collaboration with title sponsor MasterCraft Builder Group, takes place at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This annual event offers St. Augustine residents and tourists a day packed with food, fun, and festivities. Every dollar raised goes toward Jimmy Jam Community Outreach, an organization dedicated to supporting locals in need through various community efforts.

This event was created to honor James ‘Jimmy Jam’ Wray and was featured on Food Network’s BBQ USA. The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Competitors serve up their best BBQ, including chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Certified judges will announce the winners at 5:00 p.m., while the public can sample dishes from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and vote for the People’s Choice Award. 

The Chili Cook-Off and Chowda Bowl are back by popular demand and the contestants will offer 2-ounce samples of their chili or chowda from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The day's events also include a car show, showcasing an array of vehicles, with awards given at noon, a cornhole tournament, and a kids zone. The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam features more than 50 vendors, offering a variety of products, from local sauces to handmade crafts. Throughout the day, local musicians will present live performances from the stage.

Event Information

Kansas City Barbeque Society BBQ Competition  

The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam is the biggest BBQ competition in North Florida. The competition has several award categories and various entry deadlines. Register for the competitions.

People's Choice Award:

• Mandatory participation for all teams.  
• Free 30 amp power is provided in exchange for participation.  
• Served to the public from the cook site from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  
• The People's Choice side entries can be prepared before arrival.
• Award Categories:
  • Chicken: Judged at Noon.
  • Ribs: Judged at 12:30 p.m.
  • Pork: Judged at 1:00 p.m.
  • Brisket: Judged at 1:30 p.m.

Ancillary Contest 

The ancillary contest takes place the Friday before the Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam. All turn-in times for this contest are for Friday, January 10, 2025. Registrants for the kids competition must be 4-15 years old and prepare and cook the meat by themselves, though assistance with lighting fires is allowed. Find more information on the ancillary contest. 

• $25.00 each to enter 
• Award Categories: 
  • Chicken Wings (At least 12 wings required): Turn In at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Bloody Mary: Turn In at 7:00 p.m. 
  • Best Slider (At least 3 sliders required): Turn In at 7:30 p.m.
  • Best Margarita: Turn In at 8:00 p.m. 
  • Best BBQ Sauce (Provide 3 two-ounce cups): Turn In at 8:30 p.m.  
  • Kids Competition for Pork Loin: Turn in at 6:00 p.m.

Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony for the BBQ competition begins at 5:00 p.m.

Car Show

The car competition will start at 11:00 a.m. Register your car.

• Car Show Entry Fee: $20.00 in advance, $25.00 on the day of the show (no refunds)
• Categories: Classic cars, trucks & motorcycles  
• Trophies: Awards for top vehicles in each category  

Live Music

The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam & Car Show will feature performances by local bands and artists from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cornhole Competition

Registration for the cornhole tournament opens at 10:00 a.m. on event day. The competition will start at 11:00 a.m.

• Cornhole Registration: $40.00 per team

Event Details

Admission: Tickets are $10.00 through September 30, increasing to $15.00 from October 2 through November 30, and increasing again to $20.00 on December 1 onward. Kids 10 and younger are free. Parking is also free. BBQ tasting tickets are available for $1.00 each. Buy tickets to the 2025 Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam & Car Show.

Find out how to become a vendor.

Email event organizers with any questions about this year's event.

When: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Where: The St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207 in Elkton, Florida 32033

About James "Jimmy Jam" Wray: James Wray managed the Betty Griffin House Thrift Store and was known for his generosity, compassion, and service to others. Jimmy loved cars and was a regular at NASCAR events. He also loved barbecue, a favorite comfort during his cancer treatments. The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam & Car Show combines his passions—helping people, BBQ, and cars—and raises money to support community members in need.