This year the annual fundraising event for the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum is embracing a football tailgating theme…TAILGATE THROWDOWN. In addition to all the traditional barbeque cooking and competitions that will take place, this year the festival will offer a new “non-competition” tailgate spot for groups that just want to come out and play. Set-up like a huge outdoor sports bar the Tailgate Throwdown Zone will have three super-sized LED screens showing football games throughout the day and night so you won’t miss your favorite team while you are enjoying the sweet smells and atmosphere that is WhistleStop Weekend. 

• The WhistleStop Tasting Tent – Presented by E4 Technology - For the first-time visitors can upgrade their general admission ticket and gain access to the ALL NEW WhistleStop Tasting Tent.  A Tasting upgrade includes exclusive access to the Tasting Tent area, along with special samplings of craft spirits, local beers and select wines.  Throughout the course of the festival, Tasting Tent patrons will also be treated to an alternating delectable sampling of “smoke-inspired small-bites.”   The Tasting Tent will be open on Friday from 8pm thru 10:30pm and on Saturday from 11am thru 10:30pm.  Only a limited number of upgrades are available, so get yours while they last!    ****21 and up******

• The Hot Grills Car Show—NEW this year!  What goes better with BBQ, Football and music than a sweet ride… New in 2022 the Hot Grills Car Show will bring out the best of the best in cars on Saturday morning beginning at 10:00am. Walk around and marvel at the work put into these beautiful pieces of machinery. Awards for Best of Show, Crowd Favorite and Chairman’s Choice will be announced at 1:30pm. It’s part of your ticket to WhistleStop Weekend 2022! 

• The Tailgate Zone – Presented by CB&S Bank— NEW this year!  The Tailgate Zone will be the place to just hang out with friends, eat some great food off the grill and watch football on giant LED screens measuring up to 23 feet long and 13 feet tall.   We will be showing all the “big games” that are being broadcasted!  Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to cheer on your team!  Or do you want to set-up a tent and party?  Check out the Tail Gate sites that you can reserve – all the fun but none of the stress of competing in the BBQ competition.

• The Family Fun Zone – Presented by Torch Technology—The EarlyWorks Education Team has some exciting and engaging activities planned for everyone at WhistleStop this year.  Not only will you find an inflatable bounce house or two, but the EarlyWorks STEM Tinker Tent will feature an array of hands-on activities that are sure to entertain and educate.  You might find giant bubbles, or a pool of Oobleck or maybe even launch a rocket made out of a pool noodle.  Tail gate games will also be available for those that want to test out their backyard game skills.  This area is included in your festival admission.   

• The Wildcat Stage - Sponsored by Blue Halo -  Live & Local Tunes  –Pickin', grinin' and toe tappin' will be going on at the Wildcat Stage. Hear the sweet sounds of bluegrass, southern rock, country, and classic rock while smelling the barbeque being cooked by more than 100 teams. No better place to enjoy some tunes. Located in the barbeque team area. Included in general admission.

• The Wing Thing Tasting – Presented by: Booz Allen Hamilton—It wouldn’t be Friday night at WhistleStop if there weren’t wings ready to be eaten and judged. Who’s the best Wing chef?? You be the judge and tell us. Tickets are $10 and include 10 wings and a soft drink. Can’t get a better deal than that anywhere. Located in the Tasting Tent. Wing Thing tasting is 6pm to 7:30pm on Friday night. 

• The People’s Choice Tasting – Presented by: Turner Construction - WhistleStop Weekend is all about the barbeque. No visit would be complete without tasting what the fuss is all about.  On Saturday, from noon to 2pm, the amateur division, better known as the Shadetree Barbeque Teams will let you sample and judge the pork they are smoking. This competition raises money for STEM education initiatives at the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. $1 equals 1 vote…this competition gets serious. Located in the Shadetree BBQ area. Included in general festival admission. 

• Food Truck Alley—Yummy Yummy in your Tummy!!! Food Truck Alley has something for everyone. Nachos, Fries, Philly Cheese Steak, Tamales, Mexican Street Corn, Dippin Dots, Shaved Ice, Funnel Cakes and of course…Barbeque! Bring you appetite and enjoy this fun eating experience.