There are all sorts of Festivals. There are Strawberry Festivals, Wine Festivals, Garlic Festivals, Oyster Festivals, Crab Festivals, and the list goes on. One festival I have always wanted to attend, but never have, is the Lexington BBQ Festival.
This event is held annually in the small town of Lexington, NC, the self-proclaimed BBQ Capital of the World. Held the last Saturday of October, the Festival annually attracts some 200,000 patrons who jam the streets and wolf down BBQ like it was their last meal.
My Daughter, Angelin, and husband Brent attended this year’s Lexington BBQ Festival and had a blast. Ange said there was live music, fun and games for the kids, all sorts of vendors and – yes – plenty of BBQ.
Lexington BBQ is considered Western Style and North Carolina families have been known to come to blows over which BBQ is best – Eastern or Western.
Eastern and Western North Carolina BBQ differ in the cut of pork used and in the sauce. Eastern-style is whole-hog, chopped, and finished with a thin, tangy vinegar-and-pepper sauce. Western-style, also called Lexington-style, uses only pork shoulder with a red sauce that includes ketchup and vinegar.
I happen to love both styles, but genuine Lexington BBQ is hard to beat. This past year, we attended the WVA State Fair, a Festival in itself, but next fall, I hope to squeeze into the crowded streets at the Lexington BBQ Festival.
