Smoke N’ Slots
12 Tribes Casino
455 Wapato Lake Rd, Manson, WA 98831 | August 15-16, 2026
Registration Deadline: August 12, 2026
Team Limit: 35 Teams (Waitlist available)
Event Type: Fully sanctioned traditional four-meat PNWBA event
Prize Purse: $10,000
Event Management & Contacts
- · Organizer: 12 Tribes Lake Chelan Casino, Joshua Allenby
- · PNWBA Board Representatives: Diane Mee
- · PNWBA Head Judges: Christene and Anthony James
Event Contacts:
Diane Mee – 425-205-0309 (cell/message/text), dianem@pnwba.com (Site & Event Questions)
Christene James – 206-612-1506 (cell/message/text), christenej@pnwba.com (Rules/Judging Questions)
Josh Allenby – 509-422-8535 (phone), josha@colvillecasinos.com (Organizer)
Competition Categories
- · Chicken
- · Ribs
- · Pork
- · Brisket
Prize Distribution
Total Prize Purse: $10,000
Prize Pool Distribution: Pending
Schedule
Load-In: Friday, August 14, 2026, noon–8:00 p.m., or later by arrangement with Diane Mee
Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. If you need to arrive later than 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, please make arrangements with Diane Mee.
All vehicles must be out of the competition area by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Site Inspection: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cooks Meeting (Required): Saturday, August 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
At least one member of your team is required to attend the cooks meeting.
Quiet Hours: 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
Jack Shot: 10:00 a.m. Sunday, August 16, 2026
Turn-In Schedule:
Sunday, August 16, 2026
- · Chicken 10:55:00 a.m. to 11:04:59 a.m.
- · Ribs 11:55:00 a.m. to 12:04:59 p.m.
- · Pork 12:55:00 p.m. to 1:04:59 p.m.
- · Brisket 1:55:00 p.m. to 2:04:59 p.m.
Turn-in window is a 10-minute window.
Awards: 5:00 p.m. or earlier when possible. Subject to change depending on event processing.
Load-Out: After awards conclude.
Sampling
The organizer is asking for a minimum of 15 teams competing to sell samples to the public. Once that requirement is met, any additional teams are welcome to sell samples, but are not required to. The more who do, the better!
Vending vs. Sampling. Vending is selling “servings” of an item, such as a pulled pork sandwich or a bowl of chili. Sampling is a 2- to 4-ounce portion of pulled pork with a little sauce, or a similarly sized portion of chili. We will only be sampling at this event and are strictly limited to 2-ounce or 4-ounce portions, or a single piece of chicken or rib. No full meals or platters of food can be sold at this event. We appreciate your cooperation in providing standard-sized samples.
Sampling on Saturday – suggested items to sample include up to a 2- or 4-ounce portion of sausage, mac and cheese, bread pudding, brisket street tacos, bacon-wrapped items, jambalaya, brisket chili, and sliders. Think about tapas and appetizers for inspiration. Competition meats are always welcome, too.
On Saturday, sampling is from noon–4:00 p.m.
Sampling on Sunday will feature competition meat; anything else is optional. On Sunday, sampling is encouraged from noon–4:00 p.m. You choose the times and duration of sampling that work best for you.
All sales will be paid for with PNWBA wooden tokens. They will be recorded and collected throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. They sell for $2 per token. Teams keep 80% of the sampling token value. The event will keep 20% of sales proceeds.
One team member must have a current Washington Food Handler Card. Online resources to acquire your Food Handler Card: https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/
The Tribal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) will inspect the teams on Saturday. Teams must follow all TOSHA requirements. After you register for this event, we will send any forms that need to be completed before arriving at the venue, if required.
Team Requirements & Inspection
Teams must review the Team Rules page, which is located at: https://pnwba.com/Cooks-Rules. Each site will be inspected by the PNWBA Head Judges, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. New teams should also visit the “New Team Info” page at pnwba.com.
Inspection Reminder: Failure to pass inspection means you cannot brine, inject, or season meats, or receive a turn-in box, until the inspection requirements are met.
Registration & Fees
- · Entry Fee: $195.00 USD (non-refundable)
- · Cancellation: If the event is canceled, $182.50 will be refunded. $12.50 is always non-refundable for processing expenses.
- · Payment: Due at time of registration
- · The head cook (or prize money payee) must complete a 2026 W-9 at https://pnwba.com/W9 if you have not submitted one from a past 2026 PNWBA event.
Site Utilities
- · Power: No power provided; please use quiet generators.
- · Potable Water: Provided
- · Trash, ash, grease, and grey water disposal: Provided
- · Ice: Not provided; available at nearby retail outlets
Team Site Size
Standard: 20x20 feet. If you need a larger or smaller site, contact the event representative, Diane Mee, at dianem@pnwba.com or 425-205-0309 before the event.
Location & Directions
Venue: 12 Tribes Lake Chelan Casino
455 Wapato Lake Road, Manson, WA 98831
From Chelan: Take State Route WA-150/W. Manson Road, continue through the traffic circle, and continue to follow State Route WA-150. Turn right onto Wapato Lake Road. In 325 feet, turn left into the casino parking lot.
Parking & Accommodations
- · BBQ Competitor Parking: Casino parking lot spaces located west of the BBQ area.
- · There is an RV park with hookups on the casino site, a short walk from the BBQ venue. To reserve a spot, go to: RV Park at Lake Chelan Casino - USA & Canada
Local Amenities
- · Grocery Stores: Manson Bay Market, 672 E. Wapato Way, Manson, WA Safeway and Walmart are located in Chelan, WA
- · Hardware: Kelley’s Ace Hardware and Walmart are located in Chelan, WA
- · Hotels: Located in Chelan
