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The state's best barbecue, live entertainment, carnival rides, all sorts of stuff to buy from local merchants, and the excitement of a huge payoff for the best barbecue team awaits at Smoke on the Water USA Barbecue Championship, starting at 5 p.m. today (March 19) and continuing from noon-11 p.m. Saturday (March 20) at Riverfront Park in North Little Rock.

The awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday (March 20). The winner will go on to represent Arkansas in the Jack Daniel's World's Championship competition in Lynchburg, Tenn. in October.

Events include the chance to sample barbecue competitors' wares (get a taste kit for $5), an EZ Grill Kids' Que Jr. Championship and Ribba Ramma Amateur Cookoff, tethered hot air balloon rides, a midway with roller coasters and a rock climbing wall, classic car and motorcycle show, plenty of festive food for sale (including gator on a stick, kettle corn, Philly cheese steaks, Sudsfest for beer lovers, and fresh squeezed lemonade) plus music by Colt Ford, LoCash Cowboys, PG-13, Crisis, the Blue Meanies and Mr. Happy. 

Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under.