Mike Parker: BBQ Fest on the Neuse set for May 7-8

What a difference a year can make. The 2020 BBQ Fest on the Neuse was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the festival will be back this year. Vendors will begin arriving at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 7. Cook teams will begin setting up at noon at the corner of Caswell and Herritage streets. The festival opens to the public at 5 p.m.

Country music artist Brooke McBride will perform at the BBQ Fest on the Neuse on Saturday, May 8.

I wonder how many local residents understand that our city hosts the largest whole hog cook-off in the world. Even with COVID precautions that limit the number of teams, 64 cook teams have signed up for the competition and more teams are on the waiting list. To put that number in perspective, the 2019 festival hosted 55 backyard cook teams and 35 professional teams – a total of 90.

Festival planners trust that the general public, cook teams, vendors, and volunteers will use common sense and follow the CDC guidelines to create a safe environment so everyone can enjoy the events. To help promote distancing and safety, the planning committee limited the number of cook teams, as well as the number of vendors. Use of masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Although admission to the festival is free, attendees should be sure to bring money to buy food, drinks, arts and crafts, and other delights from the vendors. As always, BBQ plates will be available for purchase on Saturday. The BBQ plates and sandwiches sell out in normal years between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Since fewer hogs will hit the grills this year, you may want to get your plates early.

Pearson Park will be one of the focuses for entertainment. Jerry Hill’s Beach Rhythm & Blues will take the stage Friday evening to provide music for the Fun Zone Dance Party. The Eastern North Carolina Shag Club, the Sugarfoot Shag Club, and the Twin Rivers Shag Club will lead the way in dancing to the music.

Flimsy the Clown will also be on hand to entertain the young – and young at heart. The Carolina Classic Cruisers Car and Truck Show is sure to delight those who love vehicles from the past. Be sure to visit these classics in the Chef and Farmer parking lot.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, North Tower Band will take the Herritage Street Stage. North Tower Band has been entertaining audiences for more than 40 years with a distinctive mix of Top 40, beach, funk, and oldies. Their sound features sizzling brass, tight vocals, and memorable harmonies. The official welcome to the festival, introduction of cook teams and their sponsors, and a “meet the cook-off teams” event will also take place at the Herritage Street Stage.

G.I. Joe’s will open Saturday festivities at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Herritage Street Stage. At 10:30 a.m. Straightwire Band will kick off its performance. This group specializes in Classic and Southern Rock, Blues, R&B, and Soul. They are sure to perform some of their originals, as well.

Sale of BBQ plates and sandwiches will begin at 11 a.m. and will be available until they are sold out. Southern Sugary Bakery demonstrations will take place at the Farmers Market.

At 11:45 a.m. Jonathan Parker takes the Herritage Street Stage to perform his unapologetic brand of traditional country music. I read one reviewer who said he had driven three hours to see Parker perform – and his performance was “worth every mile.” I am sure he will do some of the songs from his latest album “Broken Hearts & Broken Bones,” released in May last year.

At 1 p.m. the Wil King Hog Happenin’ Awards will be presented, and at 2 p.m. the Carolina Classic Cruisers Car Show Awards will be given.

To close the musical portion of the festival, Brooke McBride will perform on the Herritage Street Stage to share her self-described “no fluff, no filler” country music. McBride is a North Carolina native. She moved to Nashville, TN, in 2013. Although she started her collegiate studies at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she finished her B.B.A. in Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. This raw, sultry voice singer graduated cum laude.

 All during the festival, you can visit the Blount Street/North Street/Herritage Street Entertainment Zone. This area will feature arts and crafts. The Community Council for the Arts is offering 14 vendors in the ARTS Market. One offering is “Buy a Painting – Get a Pig.” I am not exactly sure what that means, but the title sounds intriguing. Mother Earth is also hosting a Beer Garden.

If you would like to volunteer to work at the BBQ Fest on the Neuse, please visit kinstonbbq.com/volunteer-registration.

Your efforts can help make this year’s festival memorable for all involved – including you.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.