Barbecue Festival 2024 in North Carolina

Barbecue is a serious matter in North Carolina! In 2007, this U.S. state passed a bill giving the Lexington Barbecue Festival the status of "Official Food Festival of the Piedmont Triad Region." Thus, Lexington is now officially one of the top places in the U.S. for its original barbecue.

The Barbecue Festival is held in Lexington, North Carolina, during just one day in October. The event draws about 160,000 visitors who gather to try the different foods and BBQ styles from more than 20 different local restaurants and hundreds of vendors.

Lexington has always been known for its great barbecue so, naturally, when Joe Sink, Jr., the publisher of Lexington's daily newspaper, came up with the idea of the festival in 1983, it got a lot of support. The festival occupies several blocks on Main Street in uptown Lexington. In addition to food, over 400 vendors offer arts, crafts, and other merchandise.

Festival Highlights

The Barbecue Festival features many demonstrations and competitions between the cooks, a Tour de Pig annual cycling event, a golf tournament, fishing tournament, a 5K run, and even a pétanque competition. Entertainment on seven stages features local and national artists. An antique car show, “Festival Chop Shop”, the Lumberjack Sports Show are just a few of the special events of the festival.

Sand Sculpture and Other Attractions

A 50-tonne pig-themed sand sculpture is erected on South Main Street, between 2nd & 3rd Avenue. This unique attraction is one of the main crowd-pleasers at the festival. The sand sculpture, sponsored by Lexington Utilities & ElectriCities, is built during eight days before and opened on the day of the festival.

King BMX Stunt Shows include four thirty-minute bicycle performances, bringing excitement to the festival grounds. Every show provide includes an array of stunts and information about safety gear and it’s importance in bicycle riding. The publi can meet riders to get autographs and ask questions. Shows start at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm at 209 N. Main Street on Truist Bank Parking Lot.

Other attractions include the Dare Devil Dogs K9 Disc&Trick Show. 30-minute performances take place at East 3rd Avenue at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm. Dinosaur Shows start at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm at South Main St. between 4th and 5th Avenue.

Food

North Carolina is famous for its pork barbecue, which is slow-cooked over hickory wood. The meat is chopped and served with coleslaw, hushpuppies, french fries, or sandwiches. Lexington-style or Piedmont-style barbecue is a perfect combo of pork shoulder and a red vinegar sauce. Eastern style is common in eastern North Carolina; it uses the "whole hog" and relies on the smoking process. Food tents are located on Main & West Center Street (beside the historic courthouse), North Main Street & W. 3rd Street, and South Main St. & W. 3rd Avenue.