It'll be hard to resist a visit to Tamworth's newest festival as three days of smoky flavours waft across town with the national-level Australian Barbeque Alliance Competition where low and slow cooks will battle it out for around $19,000 worth of cash and prizes.

If you're more interested in eating the barbeque than cooking it, you can register to be a judge when you purchase your Saturday (or three-day) ticket online.

Be sure to wear your stretchy pants to taste the whole festival - from briskets, ribs and shanks, jerky, fried chicken, pickles and mini cob loafs, to churros, slushies, ice cream and lollies!

Sit down at the Toohey's Ultra or Jack Daniel's bar to let it all settle, or wander around the market stalls inspired by the weekend themes of barbeque and bikes. Start the Christmas shopping for the foodie or bike lover in your life with lots of options to choose from.

There's more than 20 hours of live music including:

• Y.O.G.A. – that’s DJ Rueben Styles from Peking Duk
• The Wolfe Brothers - multi-award winning festival favourites
• Jayne Denham - Tamworth's own star of country rock
• Sweet Talk - bringing the alt-country fun from Melbourne
  
• Hurricane Fall - bringing classic rock and country together from Newcastle
• Local acts performing across the weekend include Sally-Anne Whitten and the Rumour Mill, Liquid Zoo, Joel McKay, Sarah Head, Jo & Kym, Matt Barratt, Jack and the Axes, Cody Walker, Savage Groove, Marc Jackson, Brother Hollow, Chloe & James, One Job, Buddy Knox Blues Band and Crazy Train.

The National Thunder Motorcycle Rally returns for the weekend with a show and shine, Nundle Loop Guided Ride and the Thunder Run. Registration includes festival entry.

The Imaginate Kids Festival is on Sunday supporting local charity RiseUp Tamworth. Come down for rides, games, shows and get your photo with a superhero.

Tickets are great value, and kids under 15 are FREE! Order online before Friday 27 September to save up to $15 on the gate price - trcnews.au/BBQ