With over two months to go until the BBQ Fest on the Neuse, excitement is already at an all-time high. The annual festival, set for May 2-3 in downtown Kinston, has seen record-breaking interest from vendors, cook teams, and sponsors alike.

This year’s whole hog cook-off is proving to be one of the most competitive yet, with all 100 cook team spots filling up faster than ever.

"I think the rapid sign-ups for cook teams and vendors at this year's BBQ Fest can be attributed to several factors,” said Tammy Kelly, a BBQ Fest on the Neuse board member. “Our festival continues to grow in size and popularity, thanks to past successes and the buzz on social media about spots filling up quickly. Everyone wants to be part of the excitement! Ultimately, we treat our cook teams well and ensure they have a great time."

It’s not just the cook teams feeling the enthusiasm—vendors have also rushed to secure their spots, making this one of the fastest sellouts in festival history. Priority Zone 1A sold out on January 20, just 18 days after registration opened. Arts & Crafts spaces were completely booked by February 5, only 34 days after registration launched. More recently, Priority Zone 1C reached capacity on February 13, marking another milestone in the festival’s growing demand. All vendor spaces along Herritage Street have also been claimed.

“Vendors have been eager and excited about the upcoming festival. I’ve had multiple phone calls and emails since December, and vendors are jumping at the bit to get a vendor spot. We have a lot of new and returning vendors that can’t wait to serve Kinston, NC, so it’s going to be a great year regardless!” said Kaelyn Morhfield, vendor organizer for the festival.

The rapid sell-out of cook teams and vendor spots reflects the festival’s increasing popularity, drawing both regional and national attention.

“This festival isn’t just about great barbecue—it’s about community, tradition, and bringing people together,” said Waylon Adams, Board Chair of the BBQ Fest on the Neuse.. “The level of excitement we’re seeing proves just how much people value this event, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to downtown Kinston in May.”

With such high demand, organizers are now focused on securing additional corporate sponsorships to help accommodate the growing number of cook teams and ensure the festival remains a premier event.

“This is shaping up to be the biggest BBQ Fest on the Neuse we’ve ever had,” said Jan Parson, Director of the BBQ Fest on the Neuse. “We sold out vendor spaces earlier than ever before, and the cook teams have signed up at record speed and number. Now, we need sponsors to step up and support both our local and out-of-town cook teams. The faster we bring in sponsorships, the sooner we can showcase why this is the best festival in North Carolina—maybe even beyond!”

In addition to outstanding food and community spirit, the festival also delivers top-tier entertainment. Each year, BBQ Fest on the Neuse partners with WRNS to bring a headline musical act to the event. This year, country music trio Runaway June will take the stage, adding another layer of excitement to an already action-packed weekend.

As anticipation builds, festival-goers can expect an unforgettable weekend filled with live music, delicious barbecue, family-friendly activities, and one of the most thrilling whole hog cooking competitions in the country.

For more information about the festival, vendor details, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.kinstonbbq.com.