Oct 16

Oct 16 Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Lexington Barbecue Festival

Davidson Local

Community Events, Culture, Davidson County, Davidson Local, Lexington BBQ Festival, Lexington

Celebrating & Serving One Style of Barbecue … Lexington Style!

Time: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday, October 26th

Main Street, Lexington, N.C.

Free Admission

Over 300 vendors, six entertainment stages, street performers, a children's area, a 50-ton Pig-themed Sand Sculpture, car shows, a dinosaur exhibit, bicycle stunt show and much more will come together to celebrate the rich tradition of 40 years of Lexington-style Barbecue.

More than 150,000 people will gather in Uptown Lexington to enjoy food, beverages, shopping and entertainment. "As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Lexington Barbecue Festival, it fills me with immense pride and gratitude to reflect on the incredible journey we've taken. For four decades, the festival has brought together families, friends and visitors from across the country and beyond to share in our unique heritage and passion for Lexington-style barbecue," said Executive Director, Stephanie Saintsing Naset. "It's a celebration of tradition, hard work and the spirit of Lexington. I am honored and proud to continue the tradition that the festival's founders, my mother, the late Kay K. Saintsing and the late Joe S. Sink, Jr. started."

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary, we are thrilled to introduce special features. One of the highlights is the Celebration Spectacular Walking Parade, where Sigmon Theatrical will lead a dazzling parade of characters to kick-start the festivities. This public is welcome to join in on the interactive parade experience to clap, dance and party alongside the performers. The parade line-up will begin at the Children’s Stage at 8:15 a.m. located at 310 South Main Street. The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will march to the historic square. To end the day, the Festival Grand Finale Concert and Fireworks show will be held at the Breeden Amphitheater from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. featuring On The Border-The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band and a spectacular fireworks show.

The family-friendly Lexington Barbecue Festival spans nine blocks along Main Street and includes official barbecue tents, Pepsi booths and nearly 300 vendors offering crafts, art, clothing, jewelry and various food items. Admission is free!

"The Barbecue Festival represents some of the greatest things about our Lexington Community with a rich history of "Western-style" pit cooked pork shoulders dating back to the early 1900's. The festival has great southern hospitality and something for everyone to enjoy,” said Lexington Mayor, Jason Hayes. “We are so grateful for the festival organizers, BBQ restaurants and our city staff to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Lexington Barbecue Festival. This brings tremendous excitement and immediate positive impact to our local economy!"

"I remember attending the first BBQ festival in 1984 with my high school girlfriend, who is now my wife of 34 years. We had no idea what to expect and it was unbelievable at the time how many people would come to gather on our city streets. It has simply improved and gotten bigger every year since then and I can't wait to see what our 40th Anniversary Lexington BBQ Festival has in store for us."

This year, the festival will host a Cork & Craft Hospitality Garden, sponsored by Our State Magazine on East 3rd Avenue at the Breeden Amphitheater. The Cork & Craft Hospitality Garden will feature regional wine and craft beverages. Fine Swine Wine will also be available for purchase. The 20th Edition of Fine Swine Wine is specially crafted to complement Lexington-style barbecue. The wine is a collaboration between artist Bob Timberlake and NASCAR legend Richard Childress, blended by local award-winning winemaker Mark Friszolowski.

Transportation:

Getting to and from the Barbecue Festival is easy with several transportation options and ample parking throughout Uptown Lexington, which are managed by area civic groups. Shuttle service from satellite parking lots at Childress Vineyards and Walmart on Lowes Blvd. are available from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The shuttle service cost ranges from $2 to $3 per rider.

Amtrak trains will make their once-a-year stops in Lexington for the festival from Charlotte to Raleigh and points in between. Train stop details can be found at www.ncbytrain.com. Use city code: LEX.

Pre-festival events for the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival include the Jammin' at the AMP Pre-Pig Shindig Kick-off Event on Thursday, October 24th at the Breeden Amphitheater. Music fans are in for a treat as Edwin McCain is set to headline the event. Admission is free with five cans/boxes of food to support Pastor’s Pantry.

The official Barbecue Wall of Fame Ceremony will be held on festival morning at 9:45 a.m. at the Barbecue Wall of Fame at City Hall located at 28 West Center Street, immediately following the opening ceremony on the Grandstand stage at 9:00 a.m. Festival co-founders Joe S. Sink, Jr. and Kay K. Saintsing will be posthumously inducted.

The American Red Cross will again host a festival blood drive at the J. Smith Young YMCA on West 3rd Avenue from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Appointments for donations can be scheduled at RedCrossBlood.org using the keyword BBQ.

Please visit TheBarbecueFestival.com for a full schedule of events and performances.

Established in 1983, the Lexington Barbecue Festival has achieved regional, statewide and national recognition for its excellence. Accolades and recognitions include Top Ten Food Festivals in America by Travel & Leisure Magazine, Top 20 October Event by Southeast Tourism Society, Library of Congress Local Legacies project, and 50-plus awards through N.C. Association of Festivals and Events awards program, Top Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food by USA Today.

Media: Additional press information including high-resolution photos, logos and all media releases is available through a private portal on BarbecueFestival.com. Requests for access should be directed to ss@thebarbecuefestival.com. Festival media representatives are available to assist with feature ideas, scheduling on-site visits, interviews, photography and video footage. Members of the media are also invited to take advantage of private facilities with refreshments and restrooms on the day of the festival.