Art of the Que Returns to Spencer with Bigger Flavor and More Fun in 2025
Spencer, Iowa — The Clay County Fair & Events Center and the Art of the Que Planning Committee are excited to welcome the return of Art of the Que on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Clay County Fairgrounds. This Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned BBQ contest features two days of flavor and fun, complete with live music, food vendors, inflatables, craft and commercial vendors, a classic car show, and more. Best of all, admission is free, and the event is rain or shine!
This year’s event also brings an exciting new twist: a Turkey Smoke competition, sanctioned by the National Turkey Federation, will add even more competition to the weekend.
Friday, June 27
Gates open at 5:00 PM. Kick off your weekend with food trucks, a trip through the Smoky Mountain Railroad, and live music by the Scott Larson Band on the Northwest Bank Stage. The evening wraps up with contest result announcements.
Saturday, June 28
Gates open at 10:00 AM. Families can enjoy a full day of vendors, inflatables, food trucks, and a classic car show hosted by the Old Iron Car Company. Phil Baker and His Red Guitar will be performing multiple shows throughout the day on the Northwest Bank Stage. Final award announcements will take place around 5:00 PM.
“While the meat from the BBQ teams is not available to the general public to purchase or try, we are excited to have a great variety of food vendors to help curb those cravings,” said Stacey Meyer, Event Services Director with the Clay County Fair & Events Center.
Parking Info: Event attendee parking is available on the southeast side of the fairgrounds, with entry through Gate C off of 4th Avenue West. Overflow parking will be located east of the fairgrounds off of 4th Avenue West.
For more event information, visit www.artoftheque.org.
Bring the whole family and experience a weekend of mouthwatering food, live entertainment, and classic summer fun!
About the Clay County Fair & Events Center Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 300 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair, powered by SMU. Known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 325,000 guests each September for nine days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at claycountyfair.com.
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