Twenty-five BBQ teams will be firing up their smokers on Academy Street this weekend for the Kingstree Pig Pickin’ Festival 2024 put on by Main Street Kingstree. Williamsburg County is known world-wide for its whole hog smoked BBQ. The Pig Pickin’ Festival celebrates that down-home tradition and has been a part of Kingstree’s fall celebrations for more than 50 years.
First known as the Old-Fashioned Festival, the event became a popular competition for regional barbecue teams. The festival is under new leadership this year as Amy Pringle has taken over as Director of Main Street Kingstree. Pringle has participated in the festival, but this is her first year running the big show.
“I am blessed to embark on this journey as the new Main Street Economic Development Director and to be able to take part in our cherished festival for the very first time in this compacity,” says Pringle. “I look forward to embracing new ideas and creating unforgettable experiences with the citizens of the Town of Kingstree. I am honored to serve and work alongside our community to make this year’s festival a memorable one.
” On Friday, October 11, Hemingway Packing Company will deliver the hogs to the BBQ competition teams, who will work through the night to make sure their meat is cooked to perfection. Cookoff prizes totaling $8,000 will be awarded this year. BBQ Winners will be announced Saturday at noon on the Academy Street stage.
Chicken and Ribs, People’s Choice Awards, and Anyt.