MAULDIN, SC – Produced by the City of Mauldin, SOOIE., Mauldin’s 9th Annual BBQ Festival brought record crowds to the Mauldin Cultural Center on September 20 and 21, 2019. This year’s festival featured 26 Cookers from all over the Southeast competing in a BBQ Cook-off judged by the South Carolina Barbeque Association (SCBA).
The festival opened Friday night with an Anything Butt competition, where participating cookers served anything BUTT their BBQ to pique your tastebuds. This year’s choices included cheesecake, pork tacos, smoked mac ’n’ cheese in waffle cones, and more — all judged by a guest panel. Friday also featured live music by Little Lesley and the Bloodshots.
The crowds came out on Saturday for the main event, a BBQ Cook-off competition with a panel of certified BBQ Tasters from the SCBA. The public also voted for the best BBQ and the winner of the Gabe Hunter People’s Choice Award. The Trapfire Brothers performed live during Saturday’s event.
There were nine awards handed out in total for this year competition. Friday’s Anything Butt Competition had winners in two categories. In the Sweet category, the winner was James Davila and his team The Saucy Pig BBQ. In Savory, the winner was Wayne Preston of Bucky’s Bar-B-Q.
There were four categories for Saturday: the BBQ Cook-off, a Ribs competition, a Brisket competition, and People’s Choice. James Davila of The Saucy Pig BBQ won both the Brisket and Ribs competitions. The Gabe Hunter People’s Choice Award went to Chad Carter of Commando BBQ. Five winners took home awards for the main competition. From fifth to first place, the winners were Charles Holland of Back Alley BBQ; Jim Bennet of Smoke by Day, Fire by Night; James Davila of The Saucy Pig BBQ; Jeremy Smith of Piggy Fins; and in first place, Morris Gray & Josh Roberts of The Hog Mafia.
Full scores and winning team numbers can be found at mauldinbbq.com.
The Mauldin Cultural Center hosts many events throughout the year, including SOOIE. Other upcoming events include a theatre fundraising dinner on October 4; the Mauldin Youth Theatre’s production of Disney’s Frozen JR., with shows from November 8-24, 2019;
Questions may be directed to: Keira Kitchings, Office of Cultural Affairs864.335.4862 | kkitchings@mauldincitysc.com
