You’ve probably grilled burgers and maybe even tried your hand at brisket, but when’s the last time you experienced authentic Texas goat BBQ cooked by championship pitmasters? This Saturday, August 30th, Brady transforms into the goat capital of America as over 200 cooking teams from across Texas and beyond compete in the 51st Annual World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off.
This isn’t just another small-town festival. What started in 1974 as a fundraiser for local Jaycees with 16 teams has grown into the largest and longest-running goat cookoff in Texas, drawing thousands of visitors who want to taste something you simply can’t find anywhere else.
Why You Need to Experience This Texas Tradition
Forget everything you think you know about BBQ competitions. This event puts goat center stage, and trust us – once you taste championship-level cabrito, you’ll understand why teams travel from Oklahoma and New Mexico just to compete here.
The magic happens at Richards Park in Brady, where pitmasters fire up their smokers early Saturday morning, filling the air with that distinctive aroma that draws crowds year after year. Previous events have attracted about 7,500 people, creating an electric atmosphere of friendly competition and serious eating.
Your Weekend Game Plan
The Main Event: Saturday, August 30th at Richards Park brings you BBQ goat, good times, and quality Texas musicians all day long
More Than Just Food: This isn’t your typical eating contest. You’ll find arts and crafts vendors, children’s games, cornhole tournaments, and live Texas music that keeps the energy high from morning until night.
Two Ways to Experience It:
- Cookoff Only ($10): Perfect if you want to sample the goat, browse vendors, and soak up the daytime atmosphere
- All-Inclusive ($30): Gets you everything plus access to the Saturday night concert with headline performer Kolby Cooper
Bring Your Appetite and Your Cooler: The event is BYOB (no glass containers), and you can bring your own cooler to the concert area for just $5 with a cooler tag.
What Makes This BBQ Different
Goat might sound exotic, but in Texas, it’s pure tradition. The meat is leaner than beef, more flavorful than chicken, and when cooked low and slow by championship pitmasters, it becomes something magical. These aren’t weekend warriors – many teams have been perfecting their recipes for decades.
The competition is fierce, with teams judged on taste, tenderness, and appearance. But for visitors, the real prize is getting to sample authentic Texas cabrito prepared by some of the best pitmasters in the Southwest.
Make It a Weekend Adventure
Brady sits in the heart of Texas, making it the perfect central meeting spot whether you’re driving from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or Houston. The town embraces its “Heart of Texas” nickname, and during cookoff weekend, you’ll see exactly why.
Getting There: Richards Park is located on Memory Lane in Brady. Parking is completely free, and kids under 5 get in free too – making this an affordable family adventure.
Pro Tips for First-Timers:
- Arrive hungry and bring cash for vendors
- Don’t miss the children’s activities if you’re bringing family
- Sample different teams’ goat to discover your favorite style
- Stay for the music – Texas musicians bring serious talent to this event
More Than a Meal – It’s Texas Culture
This cookoff represents something deeper than just good eating. It’s about preserving Texas traditions, supporting small-town communities, and bringing people together over exceptional food. For 51 years, this event has been bringing people BBQ goat, good times, and quality musicians – creating memories that last long after the last bite.
Whether you’re a BBQ purist curious about trying something new, a family looking for a unique weekend adventure, or a foodie who collects authentic regional experiences, Brady’s World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off delivers something you simply can’t get anywhere else.
Event Details:
- When: Saturday, August 30th, 2025
- Where: Richards Park, Memory Lane, Brady, TX
- Tickets: $10 cookoff only, $30 all-inclusive
- Website: visitbrady.com
This weekend, skip the chain restaurants and drive to Brady for a taste of authentic Texas tradition. Your taste buds – and your Instagram followers – will thank you.
