The DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival is one of the region’s most anticipated food events. Held annually at Olive Branch City Park, this festival brings together competitive pitmasters, wing tasters, and families who love great food and live music. For more than a decade, Toyota of Hernando has been proud to sponsor this community tradition.
The festival features sanctioned BBQ competitions in multiple categories. Ribs are judged against strict criteria. Traditional wings compete for top honors. Unique wing creations push culinary boundaries. Beyond the competitions, the festival offers People’s Choice wing tasting tickets, allowing families to sample entries and vote for their favorites. Entertainment includes live music throughout the day, vendor booths, and activities for all ages.
The festival benefits the DeSoto Dream Center’s Olive Branch location, supporting youth programs and community initiatives in our area. Attending the festival means supporting local kids and strengthening community ties.
The DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival delivers a full day of food, music, and community connection. The venue at Olive Branch City Park provides ample space for vendor booths, competition areas, and family gathering spaces. Visitors start arriving early to secure good seating and explore what each BBQ competitor is cooking.
The competition categories showcase different cooking styles and skills. Rib competitors bring smokers ranging from custom-built pits to traditional barrel smokers. Traditional wing competitors follow time-honored recipes and techniques. Unique wing entries show creativity, innovation, and flavor combinations that push traditional BBQ boundaries. Judges taste each entry blind and score based on appearance, taste, and texture.
People’s Choice wing tasting is the festival highlight for many attendees. Small samples of competition wings are available for purchase. Tastes vote for their favorite, and the top people’s choice winner receives recognition and bragging rights. It’s a fun, interactive way to experience the competition.
Live music runs throughout the day, creating festival atmosphere and keeping energy high. Food vendors sell BBQ, sides, desserts, and drinks. Families bring chairs and blankets, settling in for an afternoon of food, music, and community. The atmosphere is genuinely festive and welcoming.
Olive Branch City Park is just south of Hernando, making the festival easily accessible from our dealership. From Toyota of Hernando at 2887 McIngvale Rd, take MS-304 south into Olive Branch. The park is clearly marked with festival signage on event day. It’s only about 5-10 minutes from our location.
Parking at the park is abundant, and the venue is designed to handle significant crowds. Arrive early on event day for the best parking spots and to experience the full festival from start to finish. The park setting provides shade from mature trees and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
If you’re a pitmaster planning to compete or just want to haul a grill for a family event, the 2026 Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are excellent choices. The Tacoma is Toyota’s midsize pickup, starting at $33,185 with 20/26 MPG and available TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims. The bed provides plenty of space for grills, smokers, and competition supplies. Its maneuverability makes parking and positioning easier in festival settings.
For larger smokers and full competition setups, the 2026 Toyota Tundra is the right tool. Starting at $42,815, the Tundra features a full-size bed, twin-turbo V6 power producing up to 437 horsepower, and towing capacity up to 12,000 lbs. If you hauling a competition-grade offset smoker or a custom drum smoker, the Tundra handles it with confidence and reliability.
Both trucks are built for the job. Toyota’s reputation for truck durability means your vehicle stays dependable year after year. The 2026 Tacoma and Tundra come with Toyota’s comprehensive warranty and nationwide service support. Any Toyota dealer, anywhere, can service your truck.
Toyota of Hernando sponsors the DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival because community matters to us. We live here. Our employees are your neighbors. Our families participate in these events. Supporting local celebrations, charities, and traditions is core to who we are.
The DeSoto Dream Center provides youth programs, mentorship, and opportunities for DeSoto County kids. The center’s Olive Branch location serves families throughout the area. Festival proceeds support these vital programs. By attending and participating, you’re directly supporting DeSoto County youth.
Year after year, Toyota of Hernando shows up for our community. We sponsor youth sports. We support local schools. We give back to nonprofits. We celebrate with our neighbors. It’s our commitment to the DeSoto County we call home.
Mark your calendar for the DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival. Bring family and friends. Sample amazing BBQ. Listen to live music. Support the DeSoto Dream Center. Take advantage of People’s Choice wing tasting tickets and vote for your favorite. Enjoy an afternoon celebrating DeSoto County food culture and community spirit.
If you a BBQ enthusiast, a wings fan, or just looking for a great day with neighbors, the festival delivers. It’s the kind of community event that makes living in DeSoto County special. It’s where traditions happen. Where memories are made. Where neighbors become friends.
Call (662) 912-9403 to Learn More
The DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival is held annually at Olive Branch City Park. The festival features BBQ and wing competitions sanctioned by the Rib Cookoff Association, plus live music, food vendors, and family activities. Check with the Olive Branch Parks and Recreation or DeSoto County tourism for current dates and times.
The DeSoto Wings and Ribs Festival is an annual community celebration featuring sanctioned BBQ competitions in multiple categories including Ribs, Traditional Wings, and Unique Wings. The festival includes People’s Choice wing tasting tickets, live music entertainment, vendor booths, and benefits the DeSoto Dream Center’s Olive Branch location. It’s a free-admission community event.
Admission to the festival is free. However, People’s Choice wing tasting tickets are available for purchase, allowing attendees to sample competition wings and vote for their favorites. Food vendors also sell BBQ and other items throughout the event.
Olive Branch City Park is located in Olive Branch, just south of Hernando. From Toyota of Hernando at 2887 McIngvale Rd, take MS-304 south into Olive Branch. The park is clearly marked and accessible by vehicle. It’s only about 5-10 minutes from our dealership.
Toyota of Hernando is committed to supporting community events and charities in DeSoto County. The Wings and Ribs Festival benefits the DeSoto Dream Center, supporting local youth and families. We’re proud to be part of this tradition and to help bring our community together.
The 2026 Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are excellent choices for transporting grills and smokers. The Tacoma starts at $33,185 with 20/26 MPG and available TRD trims for serious haulers. The full-size Tundra starts at $42,815 with twin-turbo V6 power and tows up to 12,000 lbs. Call (662) 912-9403 to discuss which truck is right for your needs.
Interested in a new Toyota for all your community activities and adventures? Check out our current inventory and financing options. Related Pages: 2026 Toyota Tacoma, 2026 Toyota Tundra, Toyota Dealer Near Hernando, Community Events & Sponsorships
Toyota of Hernando is located at 2887 McIngvale Rd, Hernando, MS 38632. We’re open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (662) 912-9403 with questions or to schedule a test drive.
