The official countdown has started for the North Carolina Barbecue Festival. Held in the birthplace of Lexington style, the streets of downtown Lexington become a myriad of live music, food vendors, activities, games, sights and sounds.The annual festival traces its roots back to 1984 and is always hosted on one of the last two Saturdays in October. Today, it has grown to be one of the most popular food festivals not just in North Carolina, but the country.
Facebook / The Barbecue Festival While there’s the Eastern V Lexington debate throughout North Carolina, whichever side you take, many still regard Lexington as the BBQ Capital of the World. Here, BBQ dates back to 1919 with the first ‘joint’ operating in a tent set up in the middle of town by Sid Weaver. While almost a century has passed since, tradition remains the same - pork shoulders are pit cooked to perfection over hickory wood then slathered with a mix of vinegar, water, salt, and pepper sauce. Today, the Lexington Barbecue Festival celebrates the longstanding tradition and love this town has for ‘Q.’
Facebook / The Barbecue Festival The festival has been deemed “Top Ten Food Festival in America” by Travel & Leisure Magazine, named “One of Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food” by USA Today, and has received more than fifty awards through The N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Excellence Awards program.
Facebook / The Barbecue Festival The festival is well-known for beloved annual events like the immaculate 50-ton sand sculpture competition, the wine garden, Fine Swine Wine in collaboration with Childress Vineyards (2017), BBQ carnival, BMX show, car show extravaganza, Hogway Speedway (racing pigs) and even a lumberjack sports show.
Photo Credit Yet one major form of entertainment comes in the form of live music…sadly though, we’ll have to wait until September 27th for the official lineup to be released.
Flickr / gpparker While there’s indeed plenty of opportunities for entertainment, fun, and browsing…the main event is BBQ and one aspect that makes this festival simply unforgettable…the quintessential smell of hickory-smoke flowing down the streets. Various ’tents’ are situated throughout the festival featuring BBQ platters, sandwiches, ribs and brisket. This year’s tent locations include - West Center St., North Main St., and S. Main St. & 3rd Ave.
Photo Credit Not much longer until October 28th and one of the most delicious and fun days of the year! The festival takes place between 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. and admission is free. This is a truly special festival that encompasses a large portion of what creates North Carolina culture.
For more information, click here. Talk about ‘classic Carolina’ – the Lexington BBQ Festival is a truly special event. Have you attended before?
Facebook / The Barbecue Festival
While there’s the Eastern V Lexington debate throughout North Carolina, whichever side you take, many still regard Lexington as the BBQ Capital of the World. Here, BBQ dates back to 1919 with the first ‘joint’ operating in a tent set up in the middle of town by Sid Weaver. While almost a century has passed since, tradition remains the same - pork shoulders are pit cooked to perfection over hickory wood then slathered with a mix of vinegar, water, salt, and pepper sauce. Today, the Lexington Barbecue Festival celebrates the longstanding tradition and love this town has for ‘Q.’
The festival has been deemed “Top Ten Food Festival in America” by Travel & Leisure Magazine, named “One of Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food” by USA Today, and has received more than fifty awards through The N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Excellence Awards program.
The festival is well-known for beloved annual events like the immaculate 50-ton sand sculpture competition, the wine garden, Fine Swine Wine in collaboration with Childress Vineyards (2017), BBQ carnival, BMX show, car show extravaganza, Hogway Speedway (racing pigs) and even a lumberjack sports show.
Photo Credit
Yet one major form of entertainment comes in the form of live music…sadly though, we’ll have to wait until September 27th for the official lineup to be released.
Flickr / gpparker
While there’s indeed plenty of opportunities for entertainment, fun, and browsing…the main event is BBQ and one aspect that makes this festival simply unforgettable…the quintessential smell of hickory-smoke flowing down the streets. Various ’tents’ are situated throughout the festival featuring BBQ platters, sandwiches, ribs and brisket. This year’s tent locations include - West Center St., North Main St., and S. Main St. & 3rd Ave.
Not much longer until October 28th and one of the most delicious and fun days of the year! The festival takes place between 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. and admission is free. This is a truly special festival that encompasses a large portion of what creates North Carolina culture.
For another North Carolina festival celebrating ocean-dwelling eats, the North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City is quickly approaching.
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