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. This year also introduces a sanctioned chili cook-off, open to all. Back by popular demand is the Chowda Bowl, where local restaurants vie for the top chowder recipe, with tasting 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, live performances from Stephen Quinn, Dewey Via Band, and Orlando Mendez will take place on the main 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 from cook site from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  
• The People's Choice meat or side entries can be prepared before arrival.
• Award Categories:
  • Chicken: Turn in at Noon.
  • Ribs: Turn in at 12:30 p.m.
  • Pork: Turn in at 1:00 p.m.
  • Brisket: Turn in 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: Turn In at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Bloody Mary: Turn In at 7:00 p.m. 
  • Best Slider: Turn In at 7:30 p.m.
  • Best Margarita: Turn In at 8:00 p.m. 
  • Best BBQ Sauce: Turn In at 8:30 p.m.  
  • Kids Competition (Pork Loin): Turn in 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 starting October 1, and $20.00 from December 1 onward. Kids 10 and under enter for 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.