Territorians will experience an ultimate weekend of barbecue food, beer and music as the first-ever Territory Bar-BQ Festival kicks off on October 5 and 6 at the Darwin Showgrounds, coinciding with Darwin’s Oktoberfest celebration, that will also see a legendary Australian rock band kick out the jams.

One Mile Brewing Company is hosting the festival that will feature the first-ever authorised Australian Barbecue Alliance (ABA) event in the NT, with pit masters battling it out for the title of BBQ Champion at the Darwin Showgrounds, with Foskey Pavilion to be converted into a “grand Oktoberfest hall” bar brimming with food and craft beer.

Legendary rock band Spiderbait will be performing across the weekend’s festivities.

“Nothing beats seeing live music; I’m really excited to bring everyone along with us and leave them with a big smile,” Spiderbait bass guitarist and vocalist Janet English said.

“Feels like we’re throwing a party in the machinery shed on the farm like the old days. We’re super pumped and can’t wait to see y’all out there.”

A host of interstate DJs will join the legendary rock band for the event.

One Mile Brewery owners Bardy Bayram and Stuart Brown said they are excited to bring barbecued meats to Oktoberfest to Darwin.

“We’ll have a kid’s zone with jumping castles and face painting and all that good stuff… And we’ll also have various beers and spirits and food catered for every appetite,” Mr Bayram said.

He said a smoke competition had also been planned for pit masters to compete for the title of NT’s BBQ champion.

“We’ll have a judge flying up here from down south, and he’ll be judging according to the criteria of the Australian Barbecue Alliance,” he said.

“We know people loved our BAR-BQ Lot Festivals in the block at One Mile Brewery Coonawarra Road, so we are excited to go bigger and bring the first-ever sanctioned ABA event to the Northern Territory. The weekend is guaranteed to be a smokin’ good time!”

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop said, “The Bar-BQ Festival will celebrate the Australian pastime of barbequing while also recognising the internationally renowned Oktoberfest.”

For tickets, visit territorybarbqfestival.com.au.

Vendors, food stalls, retailers, and barbeque competition participants are invited to express their interest.