In 2020, the COVID pandemic forced the BBQ Festival to be canceled. This year, the BBQ festival hopes to carry while being stewards of the community with pandemic safeguards in place. On May 7-8, 2021 the BBQ Fest on the Neuse will return.

“The BBQ Fest on the Neuse is Kinston-Lenoir County's signature event. During the festival we have the opportunity to show people from all over the country that Kinston-Lenoir County has so much to offer and is a great place to live, work, and play,” said Visit Kinston Executive Director Jan Parson.

The main focus of the festival is BBQ and is home to the largest whole hog cook-off in the world. The BBQ Festival will feature vendors selling “Got to be NC” products, local farmers at the farmer’s market, celebrity guests, vendors of all types, a classic car show, a Kid’s Fest, and great entertainment.

“We will be limiting vendors this year in an effort to allow more space between booths and more space for festival-goers to spread out,” said Eve Honeycutt, Vendor Coordinator.

While the hope is to have the event downtown as in recent years, the permit has not yet been requested. If the permit request is denied, the festival may take place at the Lenoir County fairgrounds.

“The event will be considerably smaller. There will be 60 cook teams instead of 100. There will be 40 vendors instead of 125. The bands and stages will be smaller. There will most likely be no amusement rides. There will be an extra space between the cook teams and extra space between the vendors. Vendors and cooks will be encouraged to bring less helpers where possible. There will be safety signage and sanitizer available, whatever our Festival needs to do to make the event safe and a positive example for future festivals and events,” said Tammy Kelly, Hog Happening Chair Person.

There will only be two stages this year, and the indoor ARTSFest will be an ART Market in the Community Council for the Arts. Art 105 will be open as usual. There will be no shuttles due to COVID restrictions.

“We want the overall feel to be a coming out party, after COVID, for the city of Kinston,” said Joe Hargitt, Visit Kinston Chairman.