Cooks, judges and festival organizers are invited to join us for our fourth annual day of learning, fellowship and whole hog barbecue demonstrations!

When:	Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 9:00 AM
Where:	Lenoir County Livestock Arena 1791 NC-11 Kinston, North Carolina  28504 United States

Current and prospective judges: Not only is this your chance for a refresher or to get on the path to being a sanctioned judge, it’s a chance to meet a few festival organizers, too, and show your enthusiasm for the coveted position of barbecue judge! To stay on the judges list, you need to attend the summit at least every two years if you are not actively judging.

Cooks: Judges on the Whole Hog Barbecue circuit are tough! This is your chance to get clarifications on the rules and learn exactly what the judges are looking for. The cost is $25 and registration is open now! 

Festival organizers: We’ve noticed that not everyone is on the same page when it comes to current rules and information. So this is a chance for you to learn what you need to know and get to know others. While we might all host a competition, there isn’t a competition amongst festivals. We all want to succeed! Also, bring registration forms and pass them out to cooks for on-site sign ups!

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