Highlights from the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival
The Lexington Barbecue Festival was held this past Saturday, October 26th marking the 40th celebration of the renowned event. The streets were filled with excitement and the sounds of live music flooded Uptown Lexington. Mouths watered as the air was perfumed with the smoky and familiar aroma of pit cooked Lexington-style barbecue.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Calvin Carrick shows off a second place ribbon won in the Hawg Run 5K.
The morning of the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival began with the traditional 5K Hawg Run and the ever exciting “Welcome to the Festival” Walking Parade, which led festival goers from the Children’s Stage located on the lawn of First Methodist Church on South Main Street to the Grandstand for the Opening Ceremony.
The stage of the Grandstand held local community leaders and festival officiants eager to kick off the festival with the much anticipated eating of the first barbecue sandwich and the drinking of the first Pepsi, which were both facilitated by Lexington’s Mayor, Jason Hayes. Lexington Barbecue Festival’s Executive Director, Stephanie Saintsing was presented with The Keys to the City as recognition of her countless years of tireless dedication to the festival and to the City of Lexington.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Lexington Mayor, Jason Hayes presents the Keys to the City to the Lexington Barbecue Festival’s Executive Director, Stephanie Saintsing.
Following the Opening Ceremony in Barbecue Alley located beside Lexington City Hall, an induction ceremony for the Barbecue Wall of Fame was held recognizing the innovation, drive and efforts of Joe Sink Jr. and Kay Saintsing who were both posthumously inducted.
{Images: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} (top photo) The Saintsing family and (bottom photo) the Sink family at the 2024 inductions of the Barbecue Wall of Fame at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
Ace Party Band kicked the festival into high gear and started the party, encouraging fun and dancing as the sun rose in the morning sky. Long lines linked around the block and connected to the booths where the first Lexington-style barbecue sandwiches were sold to awaiting and hungry people.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival “Celebrating and serving one style of barbecue, Lexington-style.”
The entertainment at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival was endless from the beginning of the festival until it’s closing at 5:30 p.m. Headlining acts included Chairmen of the Board, Sweet Dreams, Rockin’ Jason Williams and local talents Ross Coppley, Keith Burkhart and Ken Davis just to name a few. Some of the attractions at the festival included amazing car shows, the Dare Devil Dogs, a Dinosaur Show, ax throwing and the Kenya Safari Acrobats. The evening closed with a Grand finale Concert and Fireworks Show at Breeden Amphitheater.
Davidson Local and The Lexington Barbecue Festival would like to extend a thank you to all that supported the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
Below is a photo gallery showcasing moments from the 2024 Lexington Barbecue Festival festivities. For more photos and live videos of the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival please visit the links below:
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Award winning singer and song writer Edwin McCain headlined the Jammin’ at the AMP Pre-Pig Shindig on Thursday night.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The Breeden Amphitheater was packed for the Jammin’ at the AMP Pre-Pig Shindig.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Kicking off the fun at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Fabulous stilt walkers stroll the streets at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The King BMX Stunts Show catching some air at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The Dinosaur Show captivated festival goers of all ages at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} There was something for everyone at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Davidson Local} The Barbecue Festival Express makes a stop in Lexington bringing festival goers from surrounding cities to the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival. The stop is a part of NC By Train and Amtrak.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} Our State Magazine sponsored The Cork and Craft Hospitality Garden at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The American Red Cross held the Festival Blood Drive at the J. Smith Young YMCA at the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave} The streets of Uptown Lexington were packed for the 40th Lexington Barbecue Festival. See you next year!
