Barbecue festivals are back this weekend

Pitmasters, prepare your grills. Barbecue season is back, and America's annual festivals, competitions, cook-offs and events kick off this weekend at Kentucky's International Bar-B-Q Festival. Celebrate ribs, brisket, pork, poultry and special sauces across the country, from St. Louis to Tennessee, and even wine country. These smokin' festivities feature meat champions, local restaurants, amateur teams and tons of family-friendly activities for a cookout beyond your backyard.

Browse the photos above for barbecue near you through October, and see more fun festivals below.