In 2013, this festival drew 48 professional sauce sorcerers from North Carolina to Alabama who competed for the Grand Champion prize of $2,000, bragging rights, and a trophy. The 2014 BBQ Festival will continue a new competition — WNC Point Chase Competition. 

This event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society — the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts. The focus for the competition will be cooking abilities for chicken, pork, pork ribs and beef brisket. In addition, there is the Tastin’ Tent where the public can purchase $10 tickets to taste barbecue samples from the competing teams and vote for their favorite flavor. The winning team will be given a Maggie’s Best trophy and prize money. Tickets are limited to 150, with two seatings available. 

The festival will also include live bluegrass, country and folk music; arts and crafts vendors, chainsaw art demonstrations, and a free Kid’s Zone. A special appearance from Bubba Bear from the Cherokee Fun Park will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Also on Friday, the Anything Butt Dessert and Anything Butt Meat competitions will be judged by local VIP celebrities.

Beer, Wine and Swine, a local restaurant competition, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with WNC restaurants preparing chopped pork paired with wine and micro brewed beer samples. There is a $10 admission and participants get to sample barbecue with five sauces. Awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday featuring the winners from the four competition categories and the N.C. Governor’s Trophy, Maggie’s Best People’s Choice Award, and Anything Dessert and Anything Meat awards.

Sponsored by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 children ages 6-12. Admission is free for children under 6. Two-day passes are $10 for adults, $5 for children.

828.926.1686 or www.wncbbqfestival.com.