Thousands arrive to Toowoomba for Music and Barbecue festival Meatstock

Thousands have arrived in Toowoomba’s doorstep for the hotly anticipated Meatstock, which kicks off this afternoon. But what can visitors expect? Find out here.

A BRISBANE mum and son are two of the many campers who have set up ready for an iconic music and barbecue festival at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

Liz and Ryan Brockway travelled from north Brisbane to attend Meatstock today.

Featuring musicians, demonstrations, competitions and more, Ms Brockway said her son, 10, was becoming a good guitarist.

“We’re massive live music fans,” she said.

“We really liked the line up, so we’re here for the music mostly, but also PBR (professional bull riding).

“Lee Kernaghan is the only one we haven’t seen live yet, so we’re excited to see him.”

Liz Brockway and son Ryan Brockway set up their tent as campers get ready for the Meatstock Festival at Toowoomba Showgrounds, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Organiser Jay Beaumont said the Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise were behind Australia’s biggest barbecue festival visiting the district.

“We do this festival in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland as well, so we have a good track record with getting big crowds, and a lot of people support what we do,” he said.

“TRC and TSBE were proactive in approaching us as part of the event and were supportive of what we wanted to do.

“The event and the fact you can’t get a hotel room in Toowoomba for the next few days is testament to the Toowoomba region, council, and TSBE who were proactive in getting us here.

“It’s been good to have Toowoomba’s support and welcome us to what I like to call the ‘Texas of Australia’.”

Mr Beaumont said Brisbane had been considered as a Meatstock location, however it was wonderful to visit the Toowoomba region and see the impact it could have on the local economy.

Gold Coast visitors (front) Ashleigh Ward and Ged Dennis and (back, from left) Kate McDermott, Brent Gilbert, Leanda Gilbert, Lindsay McDermott, Brei Harris and Aron Hyde have set up camp for the Meatstock Festival at Toowoomba Showgrounds, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Meatstock is the sort of show people from all over the country travel to, and because this festival has a country theme to it and we have a big line-up, a lot of people are travelling to the region to see them,” he said.

Mr Beaumont said the bands, professional bull riding, competitions and food trucks were a highlight for many.

“You definitely want to see the butcher wars, but there is also the Beard and Mo Wars that is quite funny,” he said.

“There will be some funny categories like hairy chest and dad bods, so they always get a bit of a laugh.”