• Croissant and beef rib meat from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center. Photo: Robert J. Lerma
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Croissant and beef rib meat from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Croissant and beef rib meat from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Blood Bros. BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Blood Bros. BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Luis Lopez of Killen's Barbecue prepares pork belly samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Luis Lopez of Killen's Barbecue prepares pork belly samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Spring Creek Barbecue prepares its samples for the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Spring Creek Barbecue prepares its samples for the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Herb Taylor and Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Herb Taylor and Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Ptmaster Wayne Kammerl, center, and the team of the Brisket House at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Ptmaster Wayne Kammerl, center, and the team of the Brisket House at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Greg Gatlin of Gatlin BBQ prepares whole hog at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Greg Gatlin of Gatlin BBQ prepares whole hog at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from Blood Bros. BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from Blood Bros. BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Wayne Mueller, center, of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Wayne Mueller, center, of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Guests in line for barbecue samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festivla. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Guests in line for barbecue samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festivla. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Smoked prime rib at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Smoked prime rib at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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A guest at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
A guest at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Brek Weber of Tin Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Brek Weber of Tin Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Guests enjoying samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Guests enjoying samples at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Bryan Hargrove of Spring Creek Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Bryan Hargrove of Spring Creek Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Chef/pitmaster Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Chef/pitmaster Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Smoking on the grounds of NRG Park at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festivla. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Smoking on the grounds of NRG Park at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festivla. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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A sample from Tim Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
A sample from Tim Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The crew from the Pit Room at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The crew from the Pit Room at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from Southern Q BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from Southern Q BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Ronnie Killen at his smoker at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Ronnie Killen at his smoker at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Ronnie Killen of Killen's Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Ronnie Killen of Killen's Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Lamb pops from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Lamb pops from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Guests at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Guests at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma, Robert. J. Lerma
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Jason Tedford and Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Jason Tedford and Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Jason Tedford of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Jason Tedford of Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Owners Ronnie, Nancy and Brek Weber of Tin Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Owners Ronnie, Nancy and Brek Weber of Tin Roof BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Teddy Lopez of Killen's Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Teddy Lopez of Killen's Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Barbecue sample at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Barbecue sample at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Pitmaster Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Pitmaster Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Entrance to the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Entrance to the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Pitmaster Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Pitmaster Ray Busch of Ray's BBQ Shack at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from Gerardo's Drive-In at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from Gerardo's Drive-In at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Beef rib bones at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Beef rib bones at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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John and Veronica Avila of the Burro & the Bull at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
John and Veronica Avila of the Burro & the Bull at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Gatliln BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Gatliln BBQ at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Teddy Lopez of Killen's Barbecue shows off ribs at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Teddy Lopez of Killen's Barbecue shows off ribs at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from CorkScrew BBQ (Nichole and Will Buckman, center) at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from CorkScrew BBQ (Nichole and Will Buckman, center) at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The team from Roegels Barbecue Co. at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
The team from Roegels Barbecue Co. at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ tends the burn barrel at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ tends the burn barrel at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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Croissant and beef rib meat from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Croissant and beef rib meat from Louie Mueller Barbecue at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at Humble Civic Center.
Photo: Robert J. Lerma
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The venue has changed but the game's the same: smoked meat until you drop.

After several years at NRG Park, the Houston Barbecue Festival is moving its 2018 smoke-out to Humble on Sunday, April 15. According to the organizers, the new location, 20 minutes north of downtown on U.S. 59, offers additional amenities including free parking, restrooms, covered areas in case of inclement weather, and more affordable drinks.

"Every year we evaluate how we can make the festival a better experience and value for our guests," said co-founder and director J.C. Reid, who also writes about barbecue for the Chronicle. "We had a great run at NRG Park but felt it was time for a change."

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Tickets are now available for $50 general admission and $100 VIP admission. This is a pre-sale discount price; regular admission is $60 and $120, respectively. All tickets include unlimited sample portions from all participating barbecue joints; VIP tickets include a drink ticket and one hour early admission.

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This year's festival lineup includes four restaurants that ranked in the top 10 of the Texas Monthly list of 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas: Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue in Tomball, CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, and Truth BBQ in Brenham. Other Houston-area participants: Gatliln's BBQ, Killen's Barbecue, Pinkerton's Barbecue, The Pit Room and Roegels Barbecue Co.

In addition to these Central Texas-style joints, the festival also will feature East Texas-style barbecue (Ray's BBQ Shack and Southern Q); old-school favorites (Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue, Blake's BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Q and Gerardo's Drive-In) and celebrated Houston-style barbecue Blood Bros. BBQ.

The lineup also includes some of the area's best and most popular joints including the Brisket House, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Jackson Street BBQ, Spring Creek Barbecue, Tin Roof BBQ and Southside Market & BBQ.

The Houston Barbecue Festival partners are Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Pitts & Spitts. The festival also will feature live music and a bar with craft beer.

The festival sells out each year, and ticket sales are limited. No tickets will be sold at the gate.

The Humble Civic Center is at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway. The festival is from 1 to 4 p.m.