BBQ people, this is not a drill — the best pitmasters in Cambridge will battle it out for top grade honors at the return of the Smoke This Rib Fest on Sunday, October 2nd, and you had better be there. Cambridge Street in East Cambridge, between Fulkerson Street and Fifth Street, will transform into a street fest for the culinary showdown from 12:00 to 4:00pm, featuring live music (including Royer’s One Man Band, Monday Night Bluegrass & special guest Sarah Borges, The White Owls, and Albino Mbie Trio), kids games, and of course stacks of racks and other BBQ’d delights.

Aside from the fun and games, there is also serious business to be done — grab a taste ticket here ($27.50), which will get you 10 rib samples from the restaurants of your choice on a first come first serve basis. Vote for your favorite to crown the best ribs in town. Tons of your favorite spots like ArtBar, Bambara, The Dial, Puritan and Company, Shy Bird, State Park, Vincent’s, Viale, and more will be competing this year; check out a full list of participants here.

Tickets sell out every year so grab yours ASAP, but if you don’t get one in time never fear because each restaurant will also be selling a dish from their fall menu so you can still come and hang out and try some tasty food from some of the best restaurants in Cambridge. The Fest is produced by the East Cambridge Business Association, and you can check them out on IG or FB for updates, or visit their website for info about their work and on becoming a member.