Team & Campsite Information

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Team & Campsite Info

Smokin' on the Rio

SMOKIN ON THE RIO RULE5

February 13th – 14th, 2026

  1. Jackpots:  Beans & Fajitas (Friday the 13th) Pan de Campo will not be a Jackpot in 2026 
  2. Sanctioning organization:  Champions Barbecue Alliance (CBA) Rules
  3. Returning teams from 2025 will have a short period to register and select their same site as in 2025 before registration is open to the public when all sites will be released.
  4. Private team porta-cans and tents must be secured through Smokin' On The Rio.  No outside porta-can or tent vendors will be allowed in the facilities.  Order through team registration site. Personal canopies are allowed.
  5. Absolutely no stakes of any kind are allowed to be used on paved surfaces
  6. Team check-in times will be Thursday 12:00PM – 7:00 PM and Friday 8:00AM – 6:00PM. All teams must be checked in Friday by 6:00 PM. Gates will be locked Friday at 6:01PM till Saturday after awards. No exceptions
  7. Returning teams wanting the same campsite they were at the previous year must register early during the "returning team registration period." Returning Team Registration will begin 10/1/2025 at 10AM and will end 11/23/205 at 10PM
  8. New cooking teams should select their site when registering online from available sites.
  9. Only one vehicle will be allowed at each campsite during the event.
  10. No ice or alcohol will be allowed in during the event. Ice and Beer will be sold to cooking teams on site.
  11. As per the local fire code, all teams must have ONE fire extinguisher per campsite.
  12. No pets, golf carts, or ATV vehicles will be allowed on the grounds.
  13. Each team will be provided a space of approximately 40’ x 40’ campsite. Some sites may vary in size.
  14. Electricity and water will be available on a first come first serve basis. Make sure you bring plenty of extension cords and water hoses. Not every site has power, water or any guarantee on amperage/load.
  15. Propane burners can only be used for cooking beans.
  16. Multiple pits are allowed as long as you do not exceed the space provided. All teams and team equipment must be within campsite boundaries
  17. Generators are allowed.
  18. The immediate ground gates, where all the cooking teams will be stationed and parked, will be closed and remain locked from Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 6:01PM CST to Saturday, February 14th, 2026, after Award Ceramony. 
  19. Mercedes PD will be onsite to assist in the safe exit of Teams wishing to leave. We ask that you exit out of the closest open gate to your spot as traffic will not be allowed in designated areas.
  20. Any TEAM MEMBER or TEAM GUEST found driving a vehicle inside the event grounds between the hours of Friday 6:01PM and Saturday prior to awards ending, will be disqualified and or not allowed to participate the following year. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
  21. Random meat inspections will be done on Friday from 3-7 PM. 
  22. Head Cooks Meeting: Friday 6:00 PM at the Event Center.
  23. Fajitas and Beans check-in will be Friday night from 5:00PM – 6:00PM in the EVENT CENTER. Entry fee is $50 for each event. Entry fee must be paid online by February 12th, 2026 at 10PM.. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  24. Concert (or concert tickets) are not included in team registration. Concert tickets sold separately.
  25. Teams are responsible for their campsite. Trash must be picked up and placed in trash cans and the area (asphalt, gravel, grass, etc) must be free of trash, ashes and coal prior to awards. NO ASHES OR COALS ARE TO BE PLACED IN TRASH CANS OR DUMPSTER, NOR LEFT IN CAMPSITE. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
  26. Violations of Smokin On The Rio rules may lead to disqualification and or not allowed to participate the following year. 
  27. NEW: Due to new Federal Tax Laws, any contestant that receives $2001 and up will be required to fill out a 1099.

 

HIGH SCHOOL RULES

  1. NEW: All High School Team Campsites will be in a designated to the West of the main entrance
  2. NEW: High School Teams are not required to stay the night. 
  3. Smokin On The Rio event is sanctioned by the Champions Barbecue Alliance (CBA) and all applicable rules in addition to the following rules and Smokin On The Rio rules, pertain to High School Teams and are required to be followed.
  4. High School Teams are made of 4-5 high school students enrolled in high school grades 9th – 12th.
  5. Teams are to have a District Employee or High School staff member (with a high school email address) in charge of the team who also travels with them under ISD rules.
  6. Coaches, mentors, all adults, nor any non-team member are allowed to touch meat, spices, marinades, cooking equipment or pits.
  7. Alcohol is not permitted at any time. This includes being in the recipe or any product. If any High School team member is found consuming or possessing alcohol during the Smokin On The Rio event will be grounds for disqualification.
  8. Teams are responsible for making sure they know the turn in times for each competition.
  9. Teams are responsible for their campsite. Trash must be picked up and placed in trash cans and the area (asphalt, gravel, grass, etc.) must be free of trash, ashes and coal prior to awards. NO ASHES OR COALS ARE TO BE PLACED IN TRASH CANS OR DUMPSTER, NOR LEFT IN CAMPSITE. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
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