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FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

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  • 2,000-4,000 VISITORS

  • 40-70 COMPETING COOK TEAMS

  • 2 DAYS OF EVENTS-STREET PARTY, CAR SHOW & CONTESTS

  • SUPPORTED BY THE PIG ON THE RIDGE STEERING COMMITTEE, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS

  • SANCTIONED BY THE S.C. BARBECUE ASSOCIATION

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Pig on the Ridge is one of South Carolina's most beloved festivals and is consistently ranked as the state's top barbecue cook-off. Over this two-day event we host 2,000-4,000 people here in Ridgeway. As an official sponsor of the Annual Pig on the Ridge Festival, you and your organization can become an important part of this family-friendly event and gain recognition through your support. Your sponsorship will pay dividends by generating new business, supporting worthwhile charities (such as an annual Christmas fund for needy children) and cooking up a great future for our community. 

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About Pig On the Ridge

The Pig on the Ridge Festival will provide each Cook Team with 16 Boston Butts (minimum) to cook for the competition. In order to compete, cook teams must choose a category in which to compete. â€‹SELLING OTHER FOODS AND DRINKS IS PROHIBITED.

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Vendor Info

Food Truck /Vendor / Music / Fun / Games

If you are interested in participating as a vendor, please use link below.

Cook Team Competition Categories

This selection determines the division in which the cook team will compete for prizes.

Category I- (Professional)

Chief Cook has been a contestant in more than two competitive BBQ Cook-Offs.

Category II- (Amateur)

Chief Cook has not been a contestant in more than two BBQ Cook-Offs.

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"NO PIGS ALLOWED"

FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 1st

Each Cook Team MUST participate in Friday night's festivities by cooking dishes other than pork. No entry fee is required. Participants are expected to prepare, at their own expense, a sufficient quantity of food for public samples (non-pork).

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The festival will sell tickets for this event and will receive all proceeds. There is to be NO SELLING other foods and drinks. Participants will be judged for the competition by the number of tickets redeemed at each cook site with the winners in each category announced Saturday at the Awards Celebration. Tickets are to be submitted on Saturday morning when plates are brought for judging. 

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Several activities will be occurring Friday night, including a street dance. In 2017, about 3000 people turned out so each cook team should prepare a sufficient quantity.

Cook-Off Prizes

Category I

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1st Place-$2000 & Trophy

2nd Place-$1000 & Trophy

3rd Place-$500 & Trophy

4th Place-$250 & Trophy

5th Place-Trophy

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Category II

1st Place-$500 & Trophy

2nd Place-$250 & Trophy

3rd Place-$125 & Trophy

4th Place-$75 & Trophy

5th Place-Trophy

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Friday Night-No Pigs Allowed

(All Competitors)

1st Place-$500 & Trophy

2nd Place $250 & Trophy

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Hog Calling

Division I-Ages 12 and Under

Division II-Ages 13 and Over

(Trophies awarded for each division)

1st Place-Trophy

2nd Place-Trophy

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Rules and Regulations

The Pig on the Ridge Committee has the right to reject any application.

Chief Cooks check in for site locations by 5:00pm, November 1st, 2024. EARLY ARRIVAL ENCOURAGED. Meat will arrive and be distributed at 3:00pm.

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Boston Butts (16) are provided and may only be cooked above ground with wood, charcoal, gas or a combination.

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ONLY PRO/Category I Cook Teams have the option to cook (8) Boston Butts for an entry fee of $200. Invoices must be paid prior to October 15th.  Cook teams are still required to participate in "No Pigs Allowed" (Friday night).

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Selling any other foods and drinks is prohibited.

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Contestants must provide their own supplies: Hats, aprons, tables, chairs, utensils, grill, wood, charcoal, gas, fire extinguisher, cooking ingredients, 150 foot extension cord, 100 foot garden hose, grill/tent cover, etc. 

 

Judging begins at 9:30am on Saturday, November 2nd. A plate of BBQ must be ready for tasting at the blind judging station. You MUST bring tickets from Friday night sales at this time as well. 

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The rest of the BBQ meat must be immediately available at the cook site for sponsors and the general public. The general public will purchase tickets at central locations and can redeem at contestant grills for specified quantities of BBQ. Selling/holding whole Boston Butts is PROHIBITED and your team will be disqualified. Any other use or disposal of BBQ is PROHIBITED and violators may be ineligible to participate in future events. BBQ not redeemed for tickets becomes the property of the Town of Ridgeway.

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Cooking areas may be decorated with non-offensive and non-business streamers, banners, flags, signs, etc., boasting about your team. COMPANY ADVERTISING NOT PERMITTED.

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Cancellations after October 23rd may result in the cook team being billed $150 for the cost of the raw meat. "No shows" will be considered cancellations. Your team will be ineligible to participate in future events.

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ALL JUDGING DECISIONS ARE FINAL.

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