By Eating BBQ In Kinston On Saturday
By Mike Waddell
North Carolina Sports Network
(last updated May 2, 2025)The North Carolina Pork Council and Smithfield Foods are teaming up with the annual “BBQ Fest on the Neuse” event Saturday in Kinston in an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches sold in eight hours, and the organizations are donating the proceeds to local community organizations.Approximately 100 of North Carolina’s best pit-masters are gathering in Kinston to compete in the annual BBQ Fest cook-off, and their award-winning, slow-cooked pork will be used for the sandwiches.
Sandwich sales will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the BBQ Chop Tent on Herritage Street in downtown Kinston, across from the Kinston-Lenoir County Farmers Market.
The goal is to sell more than 2,500 sandwiches by 7 p.m., when the festival closes. That would qualify as a Guinness World Record.
Proceeds will benefit a variety of eastern North Carolina charities and non-profit organizations, including the Lenoir County 4-H and Youth Development Programs, the Ronald McDonald House, the Lenoir County Master Gardeners and Children’s Garden, the Downtown Kinston Revitalization agency, the CSS Neuse Museum, the Community Council for the Arts, SmartArt Kinston and Mary’s Kitchen.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MAY 2, 2025 (Friday)
BBQ Fest on the Neuse
(Open to the public from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.)
5 p.m. -10 p.m.
Vendors (150+) open
R & D Amusements – Carnival – Pearson Park
Kid’s Fest – Flimsy’s Fun Zone – Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation
Wine, Beer, & Spirits Garden – Farmers Market Area
5:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremony G.I. Joe’s/Salute (Herritage Street Stage)
6 p.m.
Welcome & Announcement of Cook Teams & Sponsors
Carolina Cruisers Cruise-In – Year 2000 and Older
7 p.m.
Country Artists – Southern Misfits – Herritage Street Stage
8:30 p.m.
Nashville Recording Artists – Runaway June – Herritage Street Stage
MAY 3, 2025 (SATURDAY)
BBQ Fest on the Neuse
(Open to the public from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.)
7:30 a.m.
Carolina Classic Cruisers Car Show — registration until 11 am
8:45 a.m.
Shuttles available (Historic Grainger Stadium to Festival site)
9 a.m.
Vendors (150+) open
CSS Neuse Museum free day — 100 N. Queen Street
CSS Neuse II tours
Farmers Market
The O’Neil tours
9:15 a.m.
Rising Starz Dance Academy
10 a.m.
Kid’s Fest – Flimsy’s Fun Zone – Pearson Park – Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation
R&D Amusements – Carnival open until 7 p.m.
Wine, Beer, & Spirits Garden – Farmers Market Area
Dance Entertainment – Mooves – Herritage Street Stage
Bikers for Christ 3rd Annual Bike Show – North Street
11 a.m.
BBQ sandwiches for Sale until sold out
Miss Wendell’s Teen & the Senior Shuffle Project – Herritage Street Stage
11:45 a.m.
Dance Entertainment – It’s Giving Cheer & Dance – Herritage Street Stage
12 p.m.
The Mayor’s Golden Key Award Ceremony – Herritage Street Stage
Church of Faith & Deliverance Mass Choir – Pearson Park Stage
1 p.m.
Hog Happenin’ BBQ Cook-off Awards Ceremony – Herritage Street Stage
2 p.m.
British Invaders Band – new stage area for 2025 – Gordon Street Stage
Carolina Classic Cruisers Awards – Car Show Area
3 p.m.
3rd Annual Bikers for Christ Awards Ceremony – Gordon Street Stage Area
3:30 p.m.
Guinness World Record Announcement – Gordon Street Stage
4 p.m.
No Quarter Brass Band – new stage area for 2025 – Gordon Street Stage
5 p.m.
Horsing Around for the Arts at the Community Council for the Arts
7 p.m.
Vendors close
(End of Festival)
Shuttles available (return to Historic Grainger Stadium from Festival site) until 8:30 p.m.
