Special to the EastLeeNews.com
THE 14TH ANNUAL SMOKE UNDER THE OAKS RIB FESTIVAL RETURNS TO LABELLE
The 14th Annual Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Festival returned to Barron Park this January, bringing together rib teams, local businesses, and families for a day of barbecue, live music, and small-town celebration beneath LaBelle’s iconic oak trees.
Hosted by the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation, the longtime community tradition continues to serve as both a friendly cook-off and a fundraiser supporting downtown revitalization efforts.
2026 SMOKE UNDER THE OAKS RIB FESTIVAL WINNERS
First Place: Sweet Sugar Swine
Second Place: Papa Paul’s Backyard Bar-B-Que
Third Place: Dirty Ernie’s Almost Famous BBQ
People’s Choice Award: T-Rex Rub
With strong turnout, competitive teams, and broad community support, Smoke Under the Oaks once again highlighted what makes LaBelle special: good food, good people, and a town that shows up for itself.
EVENT SPONSORS
Thanks to the sponsors who helped make this year’s event a success: U.S. Sugar, Family Eye Care, Suncoast Beverage, Rocket Cooling, Waste Connections, Coldwell Banker Belle Realty, Bellhatchee Marina, Suncoast Schools, Goodlad & Swank Insurance, Cabai Law Office P.A., Davis Roofing of SWFL, Inc., Hendry County Tourism Development Council, and the City of LaBelle.
