by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Sponsored by Visit Central Florida
Barbecue fans in Central Florida will have a new way to dig into the region’s growing food scene when Pitmasters in Paradise debuts at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Auburndale. As the third and final leg of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ, the event adds a resort-style backdrop to a series that already draws serious pit teams and plenty of hungry spectators.
Set after PigFest and Ribs on the Ridge, the new location gives Polk County’s barbecue scene a fresh setting with a built-in vacation feel. Visitors can expect smoked meats, live music, vendors, and lakeside views in a location designed to feel more like an escape than a standard festival stop.
Where Smoke Meets the Lake
For Visit Central Florida, which organizes the Triple Crown, that distinct setting is a big part of the appeal.
“I don’t know of any other barbecue competitions that take place at a resort, especially one with Margaritaville theme,” says Kris Keprios, senior tourism sales and marketing manager for Visit Central Florida. “It’ll be a great setting for it right there on Lake Myrtle, and it’s the first time having a barbecue competition here in Auburndale.”
Keprios said the event is expected to bring in close to 50 competing teams, along with vendors serving barbecue, desserts, and other goodies. Craft vendors, local entertainment, and a headlining country artist who has not yet been announced are also planned.
A Weekend Destination with Easy Access
Camp Margaritaville gives guests the option to stay on-site, whether they are coming from right here in Polk County or driving in from the Tampa or Orlando areas.
“There are still some RV spots available at Camp Margaritaville, so people could come and stay the whole weekend and experience the pools at Camp Margaritaville and the tiki bars and everything they have there and attend the event,” Keprios says.
Camp Margaritaville sits just off Interstate 4, making it an easy trip for locals and out-of-town visitors looking for a food-centered weekend in Central Florida.
Even for guests who only plan to attend for the day, Keprios says the event is designed to offer plenty to do.
“For those who want to come for the day too, it’s a full day of music and great vendors and barbecue, so it’s hard to pass that up,” he says.
How the Triple Crown Competition Works
Teams earn points based on how they place at each of the three events, and those totals carry through the series, so the final stop can still shake up the leaderboard.
Even as the BBQ competition tightens, Keprios says the newest Auburndale stop has already generated plenty of enthusiasm from teams.
“We’ve seen huge participation by competition teams again, because they’re excited about the location,” he says.
It adds another layer of anticipation this year, as several teams remain in close contention.
Something for Every Barbecue Fan
Even for people who do not follow the standings, the event is built to be approachable.
“Some of those competition teams don’t vend. They’re just competing, but there will be some that are vending, so people that come to the event can get barbecue straight from those teams,” Keprios says.
Dessert vendors, craft vendors and live music round out the atmosphere, making the festival feel just as friendly to families and casual food lovers as it does to hard-core barbecue fans. That broader mix helps turn the event into something more flexible for groups, too, especially when not everyone in the family is showing up with championship barbecue knowledge.
A Weekend Worth Showing Up Hungry
With its Auburndale resort setting and full schedule, the event is designed for people who want more than a quick pass through a festival.
“It kind of makes it unique in that aspect to not just the events we host in Polk County, but really most barbecue events around the country,” Keprios says.
For locals, it offers an easy outing with plenty to eat and explore. For visitors coming in from nearby metros like Tampa and Orlando, it adds another reason to make the drive into Polk County for a taste of something distinctly Central Florida. For the region, it’s another sign that the Triple Crown continues to draw crowds and give Polk County an event people will keep loving and experiencing more and more each year.