ALAMOSA — Now in its sixth year, the San Luis Valley Beat the Heat BBQ is back and more barbeque-y than ever.

SLV Beat the Heat BBQ, Brews, and Chili Challenge will be held in Cole Park, Alamosa, on August 3 and 4.

The weekend brings over 40 Professional Pit Masters to Cole Park to compete for cash in a Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned BBQ Competition.

While cook teams compete, the community is invited to Cole Park for live entertainment, local beer, free games, a mud run and more. The festivities start Friday at 2:30 p.m. with Kids Q, where kids can try their hand at BBQ. At 6 p.m. Oakhurst, a ‘Gorilla Grass’ Bluegrass band, known for spiking traditional bluegrass with a little rock & roll, will take the stage for a kick-off concert! The 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament starts at 7 p.m. Space is limited; register at Square Peg or the Depot. Get your fill of fun and food with Gosar Sausage, free games, roasted green chili, and local brews.

Saturday starts with the Hogwaller Mudrun, a muddy race along the Rio Grande, complete with 33 obstacles and live alligators.

People’s Choice follows from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This tasty event allows the public to sample bbq from a variety of award winning cookers. After sampling, cast your vote for the 2018 People’s Choice Champion.

After the awards ceremony, Del Mar Carpet One hosts a Hot Pepper ChowDown. This pepper-eating contest brings the heat pepper after pepper and proceeds will benefit Del Mar Carpet One’s Hometown Heroes Kitchen Remodel Give Away.

The weekend wraps up with a performance by Ragged Union, touted by elevation outdoors as “Colorado’s next great bluegrass band.”

Vendors on Saturday include Taqueria De La Calle Jireh, Black Dog BBQ, the Sno Shack, and Wicked Good Ice Cream. There will be free yard games, and Big Valley HobbyTown will have a kid zone, with toys and activities. The food and the fun last all day. Check out the full line-up at slvbeattheheat.com.