Inaugural BBQ festival was a sell out

LAURINBURG — McDuffie Square in downtown Laurinburg was packed with people Friday and Saturday for the first Suds and Swine BBQ Festival.

Friday night saw a large crowd brave the potential rain to see Jim Quick and Coastline on the Gibson Oil stage and while the night ended with rain, Saturday saw clear skies and an even larger crowd. The features Saturday was the sale of BBQ sandwiches and BBQ by the pound, which ended up being a sell-out with over 900 pounds sold.

“It’s been going great and the BBQ has been selling fast,” said Tourism Development Authority Executive Director Cory Hughes. “Everyone seems to be happy and having a good time. We’ve been getting some good feedback, while we did have some hiccups I think this has been a 10/10 event and we’re already planning for next year.”

The event, which is a part of the North Carolina Sanctioned Whole Hog BBQ Competition bracket, saw more than a dozen professional teams cooking whole hogs donated by Smithfield’s overnight.

The winner was Kevin Peterson with Showtime’s Legit BBQ, LLC out of Benson, and second place going to David Murray with Fired Up BBQ. Third place saw a tie between Mark Copeland with Pocosin Boys and Joseph C Fineran with Beach Boys BBQ, the tie was broken by saucing each team’s barbecue with the Pocosin Boys taking home third place.

“This town did an awesome job with the cooks and it was above and beyond for a first-time event that we’re used to coming to,” Peterson said. “The town did an awesome job with how the cooks were treated, they went above and beyond.”

Locals were also able to show off their cooking skills for the General McArthur’s Backyard Barbecue Competition which saw six teams cooking pork butts overnight. Local judges picked the winner for that competition selecting Martin English of B&E Grilling as the winner.

“This has been a humbling experience,” English said. “I had no idea how I was going to do, I’ve never participated in anything like this. All the grillers treated me fantastically… I’m looking forward to next year with hopefully some more participation.

Bracey Stone with the Bearded Stones took second place in the local division and James Weaver with J&J Grillers took third place.

Cooking teams and sponsors

Chief Cook Billy John Narron with Wicked Pig sponsored by Haney’s Tire & Automotive Care.

Chief Cook Justin Thompson with Fat N Sassy sponsored by Lucas Sales & Service Center, LLC.

Chief Cook Andy Harrison with Mr. Curly’s Que Crew sponsored by Southern Cuts Butcher Shop.

Chief Cook Tricia Harrison with Lil Mae’s Que Crew sponsored by Gibson Oil.

Chief Cook Chris Fineran with Beach Boys BBQ sponsored by Charlie Wallace, State Farm Insurance.

Chief Cook Scott Holder andWilliam Holder with Broad Slab BBQ sponsored by Raven Lucas Farms & Land Clearing.

Chief Cook Mark Copeland and Billy Perry with Pocosin Boys sponsored by Foo Foo’s Finds.

Chief Cook David Murray with Fired Up BBQ sponsored by Quality Equipment, LLC.

Chief Cook Darrell Coleman with C’s Que Joint sponsored Hatchet Brewing Company.

Chief Cook Greg Waters with G & C BBQ sponsored by Hog Slat, Inc..

Chief Cook Kevin Peterson with Showtime’s Legit BBQ sponsored by Becca Hughes, Edward Jones.

Chief Cook Dana Peterson with Showtime’s Legit BBQ sponsored by Railroad Bar and Grill

Chief Cook Daniel Jones with River Bumz BBQ sponsored by Re-Planted Thrift Store.

Chief Cook Jeffery Hogan with Burning Hawg BBQ sponsored by Jacque Wills O’Neal, Hasty Realty, Inc.

Chief Cook Timothy Carroll with Ziggy’s Piggy sponsored by Precision Contractors, Inc.

Chief Cook Phil Hayes with Ziggy’s Piggy sponsored by Scotland Motors, Inc.

Chief Cook Bracey Stone with The Bearded Stones sponsored by Trophy World.

Chief Cook Martin English with B & E Grilling sponsored by Quick Copy Center. Chief Cook Jim Weaver with J & J Grillers sponsored by Nic’s Pic Kwik.

Chief Cook Victor Afable with Crazy Grillin sponsored by Scotland County Highland Games.