What’s Happening?
Rockhampton’s Smoked Festival is preparing for a bigger return following the success of its inaugural event earlier this year.
Organised by Capricorn Events, the festival will return to Rockhampton Showgrounds on 5 and 6 February 2027. The program will bring back barbecue competitions, live music, bull riding and wrestling, alongside more food vendors and family attractions.
Organisers are expanding the event across the showgrounds, opening the centre ring and additional areas to accommodate more activities. The growth also extends beyond Central Queensland, with Smoked heading to Nambour Showgrounds on 19 and 20 March 2027.
Why It Matters
The festival’s successful debut has encouraged organisers to build on Rockhampton’s growing interest in barbecue, food and community entertainment. Capricorn Events organiser Callan Buchholz believes smoking meat has become part of everyday Australian cooking, helping attract a wider audience.
“I don’t think smoking meats is in vogue anymore. I think it’s very, very mainstream,” Buchholz said.
However, he explained that the festival’s appeal goes beyond barbecue, with entertainment and activities bringing together people with different interests. From bull riding and wrestling to gaming and live music, Buchholz believes the variety encourages visitors to experience more.
“It’s the combination of everything,” he said, explaining that people could attend both days and enjoy completely different experiences.
Affordability also remains central to the event, particularly as organisers recognise the financial pressures facing households. Buchholz said the original concept involved offering $35 tickets to a larger crowd rather than charging $100 for fewer visitors.
“We don’t want price to be a barrier for people to attend this event,” he said, adding that affordability influences planning decisions.
Local Impact
Smoked’s growth is providing opportunities for Rockhampton businesses, particularly local butchers, food producers and barbecue equipment retailers. Buchholz praised Gracemere Quality Meats, Frenchville Quality Meats and Boodles Meats for supporting the event and showcasing regional produce.
“It’s just fantastic to have that local buy-in for the event,” he said, highlighting the importance of community involvement.
For Chris Thomasson, representing Thomo’s Betta and Weber Barbecues, the inaugural festival created opportunities to connect with potential customers. “I spoke to probably hundreds of people, if not maybe a thousand people, that came through that exhibition hall,” he recalled.
The benefits continued well beyond the event, with customers mentioning Smoked when visiting the store throughout the year. Thomasson said the response reinforced his decision to return, adding, “We’re happy to support local events, and we’ve always done that with this organisation and this family.”
Beyond business opportunities, the festival has also become a place for community organisations to connect with people in informal settings. Jordan Meehan from Walk and Talk Collective said the atmosphere made conversations about men’s mental health easier to start.
“I think a big thing for us is it’s the right place to meet men where they’re at,” Meehan said. He explained that barbecue naturally attracted interest, while the organisation’s relaxed seating area encouraged visitors to stop and talk.
“We had beanbags, we had seating, we spoke to people just about anything in life, general conversations,” he recalled. The group plans to return with a similar approach, continuing its work to reduce social isolation through everyday interactions.
Meehan believes events like Smoked play an important role in strengthening community connections, particularly when people are experiencing difficult times. “Life’s so tough, so bringing people together through events like this and community, that’s where it’s at really,” he said.
Deadass Podcast representative Zayden Bryant shared that sentiment, describing the festival as an opportunity to support familiar businesses and reconnect with locals. Having lived in Rockhampton for more than two decades, Bryant said the event reflected the relationships already established throughout the community.
“We’ve travelled around Australia doing events and it’s really nice to see one at home,” he said.
For Bryant, Smoked brings together the businesses, activities and people he already supports, creating a shared experience for the wider community. He believes that connection is what makes the festival particularly meaningful for Rockhampton.
By The Numbers
- Nearly 15,000 people attended the inaugural Smoked Festival across two days, exceeding organisers’ original expectations and encouraging plans for a larger event.
- 24 per cent of visitors came from outside the Rockhampton region, including the Sunshine Coast and New South Wales. Some Deadass Podcast listeners travelled up to 1,000 kilometres to attend.
- Approximately $2,000 to $3,000 was raised for men’s mental health support, according to Walk and Talk Collective representative Jordan Meehan. The fundraising complemented the organisation’s efforts to encourage conversations and community connections.
Zoom In
The expanded Rockhampton program will bring back popular attractions while introducing additional entertainment and food options across the showgrounds. Inside the exhibition area, visitors can expect butcher demonstrations, competitive eating challenges and trade displays featuring barbecue equipment and products.
The Australasian Barbecue Alliance and Steak Cookoff Association will also return with sanctioned cooking competitions, offering opportunities to learn from experienced competitors. Buchholz said visitors were encouraged to speak with the cooks because “they love sharing their insights and their tips” about barbecue techniques.
Organisers are planning to recruit approximately 50 to 60 judges for the competitions, while finalising a larger selection of meat vendors. Outside, bull riding will return in front of the main grandstand, alongside wrestling and Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe.
Buchholz indicated the upcoming festival could be among Fred Brophy’s final appearances at Smoked, although that possibility remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Cowman Gaming will return with new tournaments, while a collaboration with Bill’s Amusements will bring more family attractions.
Live music will remain another major part of the program, with organisers seeking performers who have rarely appeared in Central Queensland. “We’ve got a couple lined up. We’ll be releasing them very, very soon,” Buchholz said.
The beer festival will also return, building on an inaugural offering that featured more than 120 different beers. Together, these attractions will form part of the expanded festival layout, giving visitors more space to enjoy the activities.
Zoom Out
Smoked’s expansion to the Sunshine Coast reflects organisers’ confidence that the Rockhampton concept can attract audiences in other Queensland communities.
Buchholz said the team recognised demand for a major event in the region, although finding a suitable venue initially proved challenging. “We knew there was a need for a major event in that general region,” he explained.
After considering the available facilities, organisers selected Nambour Showgrounds because its layout could accommodate the festival’s mix of activities. “We’ve landed in the Nambour Showgrounds, which really is a ripper of a venue,” Buchholz said.
The venue offers pavilions, a central ring and spaces suitable for bull riding, allowing organisers to adapt the Rockhampton format. Its central Sunshine Coast location also provides access for visitors travelling from surrounding communities and Brisbane.
The decision follows strong interest from visitors outside Central Queensland, demonstrating the festival’s appeal beyond its original host city. Bryant said some attendees had travelled considerable distances, while others came specifically to experience the barbecue competitions and local produce.
He also recalled speaking with judges who were impressed by the quality of meat presented during the inaugural festival. According to Bryant, the standard of the steaks and other products made selecting winners particularly difficult.
As Smoked reaches another region, the festival could provide further exposure for Central Queensland’s producers and participating businesses.
What To Look For Next?
Rockhampton’s upcoming festival could attract another strong crowd as organisers expand the program and build on its successful debut. More announcements about live music, food vendors and entertainment will complete the lineup ahead of February.
Meanwhile, businesses, exhibitors and community organisations can still explore opportunities to participate, with Buchholz emphasising the importance of local involvement.
“It’s the collaborative nature of this event that makes this event so great,” he said, reflecting on the contributions of businesses and community groups.
Tickets are already on sale, although ringside bull riding seats and Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe have limited capacity. Interested vendors and visitors can find booking information through the official Smoked Festival website.
With Rockhampton returning in February and Nambour following in March, organisers hope to extend the festival’s community appeal across Queensland.
