Barbecue, bands, and beverages will abound as always during the Star of Texas Rodeo’s popular cook-off. This year the festivities go on March 16-18, as the greatest “backyard chefs” of Central Texas battle it out for the titles of “Best Barbecue” and “Highest Fundraiser.” This is one of my favorite events of the year, a colorful, festive, and truly Texas hoedown, full of friendly yet fierce competition and several different styles. And the diversity of participants and attendees is totally Austin. Expect cowboys and punk rockers drinking beer and chowing down home-cooked ‘cue right next to the carnival rides, with anything from Clint Black to AC/DC blasting out the stall’s sound systems.

More than 50 teams compete at this walkabout event, in categories like Top Fundraiser, Brisket Cook-Off, “Yardbird” Chicken Cook-Off, Rib Cook-Off, David Kitchens Jack Pot Cook-Off (anything on the grill), Bean Contest, Bloody Mary Contest, Hospitality, Showmanship, Most Elaborate Rig, and Best Rookie Team. Top winners receive cash prizes and trophies. The public is invited to sample the team’s food and encouraged to make a donation into the team’s tip jar. Last year, proceeds from the event generated more than $125,000. This money is then donated to the Scholarships for Star Students.

This year marks the sixth Stall Crawl, which some friends of mine started as a way to get together and have fun at the cook-off. Now more than 200 people sign up for this independent group that gathers at the Texas Original Cookers stall for cocktails, Twister, live music by the Hackles, and continuous eating. The $5 registration fee covers your official Stall Crawl badge, souvenirs, and donation to the Scholarship Funds. Sign up online at www.stallcrawl.com. Don’t forget to bring lots of $1 bills to tip out the cooks, as this counts as your vote in the competition. See you at the fairgrounds!

March 16-18 (Friday-Saturday, 1pm–12mid; Sunday noon-2:30pm)

Travis County Exposition Center

Fairground entrance fee: $5; parking, $5

This article appears in March 16 • 2007.

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Mexico City native Claudia Alarcón has made Austin home since 1984. She worked her way through college in the local restaurant industry, graduating from the University of Texas in 1999. She has been a Chronicle contributor for 15 years and presents lectures and workshops on topics related to the foodways of Mexico, both locally and internationally.