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AYDEN, N.C. — Known far and wide as the capital of Eastern North Carolina-style whole-hog, wood-cooked barbeque, Ayden will host their third annual “Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-Off & Festival in Downtown Ayden Friday, May 18th and Saturday, May 19st. The BBQ Cook-Off will be held in the “BBQ Village,” centered around the Ayden Christian Church located at 462 Second Street, and the Festival will be held two blocks to the east along West Avenue.

New this year:  On Friday and Saturday, festival attendees can purchase KCBS competition-style BBQ from three vendors, as well as Skylight Inn BBQ, on the midway! Attendees can enter to win an Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Grill (charcoal, gas, and smoker in all-in-one) valued at over $500. And $25 ride wristbands will be honored all day Saturday.

Here's the schedule:

Friday, May 18^th from 4pm – 11pm
4pm to 11pm: Rides, Vendors, and Crafts open & Beer Garden at Cindirene’s, 559 3rd Street
4pm to 10pm: Self-Guided Tour of BBQ Village-Enter to win the $500 grill package
7pm to 10pm: LIVE MUSIC: HIP POCKET on the West Avenue Stage

Saturday, May 19^th from 8am – 11pm
8am to 11pm: Rides ($25 wristband for all day rides), Vendors, and Crafts open, West Avenue, 2nd Street at Ayden Christian Church
8am to 3pm: Self-Guided Tour of BBQ Village, Watch the cook teams in action!!! Enter to win the $500 grill package!
11am: People’s Choice Voting begins at 462 2nd Street
12pm to 11pm: Beer Garden: Cindirene’s at 559 3rd Street
12pm to 5pm: LIVE MUSIC: Various artists on the West Avenue Stage
1pm to 6pm: Car Cruise - East Avenue between NC 102 and Second Street
5pm: “Kings of Q” Awards Ceremony on the West Avenue Stage- Grill winner announced
7pm to 10pm:  LIVE MUSIC: BRYAN MAYER on the West Avenue Stage

The BBQ Cook-Off is a North Carolina State Barbeque Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts. KCBS certified judges will be on hand Saturday to blind judge entries from four categories (chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket) starting at noon.  All four categories are required for Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion. The team receiving the highest combined score in all 4 categories will be declared the Grand Champion qualifying them to compete on a national level in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, in Kansas City, Missouri, and will be entered into a drawing to compete in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Festival attendees are also encouraged to make stops during the festival at Ayden’s two legendary BBQ restaurants: Bum’s Restaurant- 566 Third Street, Ayden and Skylight Inn- 4618 South Lee Street, Ayden.

Entry forms for the BBQ Cook-Off, Festival Vendors and Sponsorship information can be found at www.aydenbbq.org.

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CONTACT:

Stephen Smith
252.481.5827
ssmith@ayden.com | Website: www.aydenbbq.org