Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest: Our Family’s Food and Ride Adventure
The Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest was a summer food festival at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, featuring regional barbecue dishes, Virginia craft beer, live entertainment, and family-friendly amusement park fun.
Our family visited the third annual festival in August 2017, sampling everything from moonshine pulled pork egg rolls and Memphis-style macaroni and cheese to caramel churros while squeezing in roller coasters, midway games, and one very meaningful stop at the Kings Dominion Moon Tree.
Important update: This article shares our experience at the 2017 Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest, which ran on weekends from August 5 through August 20, 2017. Festival menus, attractions, ride names, ticket options, and event schedules may have changed. Check the official Kings Dominion website before planning a current visit.
Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest 2017
My children called it the “last hurrah before school starts.” Kings Dominion called it BBQ and Brew Fest.
Either way, it was a delicious excuse to spend one more summer weekend riding roller coasters, playing midway games and following the smell of barbecue through Candy Apple Grove.
The 2017 festival brought together regional barbecue flavors, specialty dishes from the park’s culinary team, live music and Virginia craft beer for guests age 21 and older. The entertainment was part of the park experience, while festival food and beverages were purchased separately.
For families, the best part was that we did not have to choose between an amusement park day and a food festival. We could ride, snack, wander and then circle back when someone announced that they were ready for another plate.
Readers Also Make These Summer BBQ Favorites
Bring a little of that smoky festival flavor home with North Carolina-style pulled pork, then browse more summer recipes and party ideas for cookouts, pool days and backyard gatherings.
Our First Stop: The Kings Dominion Moon Tree
If you have followed our family’s Kings Dominion adventures, you know that every visit begins at the Moon Tree.
This time, however, there was a surprise waiting for us.
The tree that orbited the moon 34 times now had a recognition plaque. After years of feeling that this remarkable tree was one of the park’s quiet hidden gems, seeing its story displayed for visitors was a beautiful thing.
You can read the full history in my article about the Moon Tree that orbited the moon 34 times.
I reached out to Katelyn at Kings Dominion and asked how the plaque came to be. She explained:
“Basically, Chad, our VP & GM, found out about the Moon Tree upon returning to the park as VP last summer. He started his career here at KD as a seasonal associate in college while visiting from England.
He thought it was extremely special and a ‘hidden gem’ of the park and wanted to make sure everyone who visited knew about it. So we had the plaque created and placed in the park where it is today.”
My family had to wait while I teared up. Sometimes the most memorable part of an amusement park visit is not the fastest ride or the biggest prize. Sometimes it is a tree with a story that finally gets told.
Starting Our Kings Dominion Day on Delirium
Once I had collected myself, it was time to get the adrenaline moving. Our first ride of the day was Delirium.
We worked up an appetite by exploring more of the park before following the smell of smoke and barbecue sauce back toward the festival.
What We Ate at Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest
The festival menu featured dishes inspired by several barbecue regions. Rather than ordering one full meal and calling it finished, we sampled different foods throughout the day.
This worked beautifully for our family because everyone could choose something different, share a few bites and return later when another dish caught our attention.
Texas Caramel Churros
MacKenzie announced that she was starting with the caramel churros from Texas.
Seriously? Who were we to argue with dessert?
Following the churros, I rode the Rebel Yell with the kids. We sat in the front, and it was spectacular. The coaster has since been renamed Racer 75, but this was our 2017 visit, when we still knew it by its original name.
Midway Games and a Little Family Competition
William was a tween and thought he was all kinds of awesome sauce. He could go on and on about his strength, his brainpower and, just in case we missed it the first time, his strength.
Naturally, I called him out on it.
His choices were to compete against one of us or challenge the young woman running the game. She was small. He felt overly confident.
Here is how it played out:
Ba-bam. Beat by a girl.
He was an excellent sport and had a blast. My husband was so entertained that he handed the game card to the two competitors, and the kids moved on to Whac-A-Mole.
Then the kids ventured over to the games of skill. It all happened quickly. They were handed three softballs at the Bushel Basket Toss.
William grabbed a ball, tossed it and made it stay inside the basket.
He won.
Regional Barbecue Dishes We Tried
Winning called for a celebration, so we headed back to the BBQ and Brew Fest.
Georgia Shish Kebab Beef
We took a quick culinary trip to Georgia with the shish kebab beef. It was delicious and gave us exactly the savory bite we wanted after the morning’s rides and games.
Virginia Moonshine Pulled Pork Egg Rolls
Next, we returned to our home state of Virginia. I could not wait to tear into the moonshine pulled pork egg rolls.
For a version you can enjoy at home, try my North Carolina-style pulled pork recipe.
Pulled Duck Tater Tots with Smoked Gouda
My favorite dish of the day was the tater tots topped with pulled duck and creamy smoked Gouda.
The combination was rich, smoky, salty and wonderfully over the top. It was amusement park food with the personality turned all the way up.
Mini Memphis-Style Hot Dogs
In the Tennessee section, my husband fell in love with the mini Memphis-style hot dogs topped with sweet and spicy barbecue sauce.
Memphis-Style Macaroni and Cheese
The kids loved the Memphis-style macaroni and cheese.
Brisket Burnt Ends
There was also a plate of brisket burnt ends that Howard Wolowitz’s mother would have loved.
Perfect with a Virginia Summer Weekend
A Kings Dominion visit pairs naturally with a full Virginia summer getaway. Spend the day enjoying rides and theme park food, cool off at a nearby water attraction, or continue exploring the state through our collection of amusement parks and waterparks.
When you return home, keep the relaxed summer mood going with easy cookout dishes, cold drinks and nostalgic desserts from our summer recipes and party ideas.
What Made This Kings Dominion Visit Memorable
The food was delicious, but the day became memorable because it was never only about the food.
It was the Moon Tree plaque and the lump in my throat. It was MacKenzie choosing dessert first. It was William confidently accepting a challenge and being a good sport when it did not go his way. It was the surprise of a winning softball toss and the family celebration that followed.
Kings Dominion is quite a drive for us, but we have always been welcomed by friendly staff and ride operators. Somehow, the rides seem even more fun than we remembered from the visit before.
That combination of food, rides, laughter and small family moments made the 2017 BBQ and Brew Fest feel like a proper last hurrah before school started.
Tips for Planning a Kings Dominion Food Festival Visit
- Confirm the current event: Festival names, dates and menus change, so check Kings Dominion’s official calendar before traveling.
- Review park admission details: Special-event entertainment may be included with admission while food tastings, beverages or tasting cards cost extra.
- Arrive with a tasting plan: Share smaller portions so your family can sample more menu items without becoming too full for the rides.
- Ride before the largest meal: Save heavier barbecue plates for after your biggest roller coasters.
- Include familiar foods for children: Macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, churros and other recognizable options can make festival dining easier for selective eaters.
- Stay hydrated: Virginia summer heat, salty foods and a full day of walking make water especially important.
- Use sun protection: Bring sunscreen, hats and lightweight clothing for long stretches outdoors.
- Plan a meeting point: Choose an easy-to-recognize location in case family members become separated.
- Never drink and drive: Alcoholic beverages are for adults age 21 and older. Use a designated driver and drink responsibly.
Was Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest Good for Families?
Our experience was family-friendly because the food festival was woven into a regular amusement park day. The children could enjoy rides, games, sweets and familiar foods while adults explored more adventurous barbecue dishes.
Families should still review the current event description carefully. Beer-focused portions of a festival may be intended for adults, and individual activities, tasting rules and operating hours can change from one season to another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest
When was the Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest featured in this article?
Our family attended the third annual Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest in August 2017. The event featured weekend dates from August 5 through August 20 that year.
Is Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest still running?
This article documents the 2017 festival and should not be used as a current event schedule. Check Kings Dominion’s official events calendar to see whether a similar food festival is planned for your visit.
Was the BBQ and Brew Fest included with Kings Dominion admission?
During the 2017 event, festival entertainment was available inside the park, but food and alcoholic beverages required an additional purchase. Current policies may be different.
What food was served at Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest?
The 2017 menu included regional dishes such as shish kebab beef, moonshine pulled pork egg rolls, pulled duck tater tots with smoked Gouda, Memphis-style hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, brisket burnt ends and caramel churros.
Could children enjoy the Kings Dominion BBQ festival?
Yes. Our children enjoyed the rides, midway games, churros, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese while the adults sampled additional barbecue dishes.
Where is Kings Dominion located?
Kings Dominion is located in Doswell, Virginia, north of Richmond. Always confirm current directions, parking information and operating hours before leaving home.
What should families bring for a summer day at Kings Dominion?
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing and a plan for staying hydrated are helpful. Review the park’s current bag and outside-food policies before packing.
Final Thoughts on Our Kings Dominion BBQ Adventure
Our Kings Dominion BBQ and Brew Fest visit delivered everything we wanted from the last stretch of summer: thrilling rides, ridiculous family competition, smoky barbecue, sticky churros and plenty of stories to retell later.
The festival itself belongs to a specific moment in 2017, but the memory still holds up. The Moon Tree received the recognition it deserved, William learned that confidence does not guarantee a midway victory, and we discovered that pulled duck and smoked Gouda belong on tater tots.
That is a strong day by any family’s standards.