The annual 2025 HLSR World Championship BBQ Contest at NRG Park is right around the corner, and Prime Time Cookers will once again be throwing the party. Below you will find a ton of information that will hopefully answer any questions you may have. The party is scheduled for Thursday February 27th through Saturday March 1st. If there is anything we missed, please let us know by sending us an email via the contact us form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

HLSR Information

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) is the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world. HLSR promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $475 million to the youth of Texas and education. You can find more information by visiting the HLSR website here.

BBQ Contest Information

Each year the livestock show & rodeo is kicked off with a World Championship BBQ Contest. The contest is attended by over 250 teams competing in a variety of BBQ categories. Each team has a spot where they cook for the competition. Most teams also host a private party for their guests. Many teams rely on the generosity of donors in order to attend the event and host the festivities. The party is scheduled for Thursday February 27th through Saturday March 1st. You can find more information by visiting the HLSR World Championship BBQ Contest webpage here.

The Prime Time Cookers Team

Prime Time Cookers was established in 1994. We are a large group of friends and family with the goals of having fun, contributing to the support that HLSR provides, and raising money for charity. As a nonprofit organization, no individual or business receives any compensation or benefit (monetary or otherwise) of any kind from any funds that are received. 

Party Time at Prime Time

We provide great food, ice cold beer, music, and a great social atmosphere for you and your guests. On Thursday we will be serving BBQ, crawfish, boiled shrimp, and other goodies. For Friday & Saturday nights we provide all guests with complimentary brisket, ribs, chicken, pork, and sausage with all the fixings. We also serve fried appetizers throughout the night such as fish, oysters, onion rings, french-fries, jalapeno poppers, corn, and more. Beverages include beer (Miller Lite, Bud light, Budweiser, Shiner, Coors Light, Lone Star, Lone Star Light, etc.), maybe a few seltzer options, wine (red & white), margaritas (lemon/lime & strawberry), basic mixed drinks at the liquor bar, a few frozen flavored whiskey drinks, assorted soft drinks, bottled water and more. For the music, we will have a DJ all nights. All types of music is played, so everyone is sure to enjoy the groove. During the food service hours, the lights are on and the volume is a bit lower so everyone is able to comfortably talk amongst each other and eat. Around 8 or 9pm, the lights go out, the volume goes up, and the party begins.

The Prime Time Cookers Booth

Our booth number is in quadrant A, spot A-400 along Kirby Drive across from the Wyndham and Wingate by Wyndham hotels (used to be the Crown Plaza). We have a 100ft by 40ft tent that we share with our friends on another team. We have tables and chairs for you to sit and eat, bar high round tables all around to hang out at, a tended bar for your ice-cold beverages, and a food service line staffed by our team members. The food service line runs from 5PM to 7PM each night, and it's self-serve after that. We also have a gated "front porch" outside with bench seating for the smokers and people watchers in the group. We have multiple private portable restrooms designated for men and women inside the tent along with a hand washing station for your convenience. Although our booth is completely covered, the weather can change rather quickly this time of year so be prepared. Please note that we do not provide any secure storage for your personal items. You will need to keep all of your personal belongings with you at all times, so it is best to pack light.

Transportation & Parking

Parking and general admission to the HLSR grounds are not included with any of our packages as this is managed & coordinated by HLSR directly. Since there is limited on-site parking available, we highly recommend taking the shuttle buses, train, taxi, or ride share. The lines for these options on the way out at the end of the night can get quite long, so be sure to consider this if you take that option. You can find more information on how to the BBQ contest by visiting the HLSR website here. 

Kids are welcome earlier in the day, but all individuals must be over 21 years old 7pm. HLSR requires each tent to shutdown at 11pm sharp each night. We do check ID’s at the bar, and have police officers working at all times for security & to monitor access.