Seventh annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally set for July 25 at Yelm City Park

For the seventh time in event history, the aroma of barbecue and the sounds of laughter and camaraderie will fill the air in downtown Yelm as the annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally will return on Saturday, July 25, at Yelm City Park.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., residents from all throughout western Washington can enjoy the beauty of Yelm City Park while enjoying barbecue from some of the best food trucks in the region.

Competitive barbecuers can also try their luck in the annual “Amateur Andy’s” competition — where competitors will be judged on various criteria relating to their smoked chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket and pork shoulder. You can sign up for the competition online at www.BBQrally.com.

Additionally, young barbecue enthusiasts in the region can sign up to compete in the youth burger challenge — which welcomes challengers ages 10-17 to compete.

Dan Nicholson and Shelley Nicholson, organizers of the seventh annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally, told the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, July 13, that they’re thrilled to be partnering with the Yelm Farmers Market for the event later this month.

“We’re just trying to work together, collaborate and make it a really great event for the year,” Dan said. “We want there to be a lot of options for people to come and enjoy. The farmers market vendors will be there and they’ll be included on the map. We’re really excited for this partnership.”

He added that several spots are still available for vendors and for competitors in the Amateur Andy competition. Dan believes it’s shaping up to be a great day at the seventh annual barbecue rally in Yelm.

“We’re super excited. We have some great sponsors,” Dan said. “507 Taproom and Uptown Lounge, D-Zines, Thurston Talk — just to name a few. There’s a lot of good community support. Lucky Eagle Casino is sponsoring the Amateur Andy competition this year again. Northwest Chevrolet sponsors the stage. KAYO radio will be another sponsor.

“We have such a great committee that really takes the lead on their roles,” Dan continued. “Stephanie Kangiser, the volunteers, everybody comes together because they know what a fun day it is. YARD comes in and does the kids’ area. Living Water comes in with the bounce-houses.”

Shelley, Dan’s wife, also highlighted the “Tap the Keg Kickoff Party” from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at Yelm City Park. She said the evening will include cornhole, a trivia contest and a beer garden.

“If you’re 21 or over, it’s really fun. It’s my favorite, which isn’t fair to the whole event,” Shelley said. “It’s such a calm event for us. For everyone who wants to see all of the vendors, eat all of the food and have a day of fun, come on Saturday too.”

Shelley added that she’s been thrilled to see the annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally grow and become better each year since its initial iteration in 2019.

“You know what one of my favorite things is? When we were first planning this event, someone in the community told us they tried to plan a barbecue in the park and that people aren’t going to be interested,” Shelley said. “I absolutely love that every year that person gets to see us grow, be bigger and better — and that the community loves it. You’ve gotta work with the whole community. The more you bring in from the community, businesses and partnerships, that’s where our growth is coming from.”

Dan added that the Yelm Chamber of Commerce is ultimately the presenter of the annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally, and that the organization is all about local businesses and seeing them grow.

“We want to give an opportunity for our members to get out there and in front of people, and we’ve done that,” Dan said. “We’ve brought over 10,000 people to that park and you can’t get a better audience than that. As a business owner, it’s a great opportunity to get up there, set up and show the community what you’re about.”

He added that the local community comes out in droves for the event, and that local businesses have been nothing but supportive of the barbecue rally since its first iteration nearly 10 years ago.

“This event is in such a great spot and we like working with the City of Yelm,” Dan said. “We hope that we can continue this relationship and partnership with the City of Yelm to bring this event back year after year. We have no intention of going anywhere else.”