BBQ Fest Calendar

Here's your guide to finding this month's finger-licking good barbecue festivals

First Annual Court Square Cook-off
Graham
October 4
Located in the middle of the state, Graham walks the line between the eastern and western barbecue styles. This festival
will offer the best of both styles, served up in the city's historic downtown.

Annual Down East Fest
Rocky Mount
October 10-11
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the festival will feature an Eastern Carolina Barbecue Throw Down, with categories for pork ribs, pork, chicken, and beef brisket. Meanwhile, six stages host a bevy of music and local performances.

Vander Pig Cook-off
Fayetteville
October 10-11
Now in its fifth year, this cook-off is Fayetteville's contribution to Carolina 'cue.

Pork Jam
Pelham
October 11
Way up in Caswell County, they cook some mean barbecue. The tiny community of Pelham expects to draw more than 1,000 foodies to this pork fest.

Barbecue Festival Lexington
October 25
Each October, the streets of Lexington explode in celebration of all things 'cue. For the festival's twenty-fifth anniversary, country singer Trisha Yearwood will perform.

Fall Festival and Livermush Expo
Shelby
October 25
Celebrate your love for pig liver mixed with corn meal. Mmm.

Hog Happnin'
Shelby
November 1
Here's the second reason to visit Shelby this fall. Don't miss the BBQ War between the States, when N.C. competes with that other Carolina.

Pig Stein
Kitty Hawk
October 25
Twenty-five amateur pit masters are slated to gather in the Outer Banks for a whole-hog cook-off. Don't miss the afternoon beer festival, boasting more than 100 ales from fifty different breweries.

Smoke on the Water
Washington
October 25
This annual family festival serves up barbecue, chili, and live music on the newly refurbished Washington waterfront.