South Oregon Coast's BBQ, Blues, Brews and Bourbon Fest Hits Coos Bay Area Soon

Published 05/11/26 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – Beaches, bourbon and barbecue: it's an irresistible combination. Throw in a lot of blues tunes, cooking classes, beer and you a recently-created festival that has quickly become a mainstay.

Ko-Kwel Casino Resort will bring back one of the Oregon coast's most popular Memorial Day traditions May 23 - 24 with the 13th annual BBQ, Blues, Brews & Bourbon on the Bay, a weekend built around barbecue tastings, live blues, craft beer and the debut of Ko-Kwel Spirits’ new bourbon.

The resort’s signature food-and-music festival has grown into one of its highest-attended events, drawing grill teams, blues fans and hungry visitors for two days of sampling and entertainment. This year’s special guest is pitmaster and television personality Moe Cason.

A daily $5 entry fee provides access to the festival grounds, where participating vendors will sell 2-ounce barbecue samples while supplies last.

The barbecue competition returns under Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioning, bringing top regional teams to the Coos Bay area to compete for the Grand Champion title. Tasting windows are scheduled throughout both days.

Live blues will run continuously in the music tent, with performances by The Strange Tones, Texas Flood and Inner Limits. Strange Tones features bassist Andy Strange, who is part of Oregon blues royalty, starting with the famed Eugene blues scene of the '70s and '80s, alongside greats like Henry Cooper and Curtis Salgado.

Visitors can move between the food vendors and the stage throughout the day. It's a weekend-long south Oregon coast monster.

Beer service will be spread across three stations. Guests may purchase a commemorative pint cup for $10, or $18 for the cup paired with a 16-ounce pour. Individual 16-ounce beers will be available for $9, and 5-ounce samples for $4. Wine will also be sold.

The festival will also feature tastings of Ko-Kwel Spirits Bourbon, the newest release from Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in North Bend.

Schedule of Events
13th Annual BBQ, Blues, Brews & Bourbon on the Bay
Saturday and Sunday, May 23–24, 2026

Friday, May 22, 2026
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Cooking class with Moe Cason and Bob Trudnak of the Bob & Moe BBQ Show. Space is limited and expected to sell out quickly. Register early.

Saturday, May 23, 2026
12 p.m. – 6 p.m. – BBQ tasting, beer and bourbon service, and live music.

Sunday, May 24, 2026
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – BBQ tasting, beer and bourbon service, and live music.
4:15 p.m. – Awards ceremony.

Entertainment
Saturday, May 23

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: The Strange Tones
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Texas Flood
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Inner Limits

Texas Flood concert in the Salmon Room.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 24 at Ko-Kwel Gifts for $35, or $30 with a Ko-Kwel Rewards Card.

Sunday, May 24

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Inner Limits
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: The Strange Tones

3201 Tremont St. North Bend, Oregon. 541-756-8800. https://www.kokwelresorts.com/event/bbq-blues-brews-bourbon/

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