The History
2020 was our 10-year anniversary for the Mauldin BBQ Cook-off, but unfortunately COVID-19 put a hitch in our celebration plans. So this year might be our 11th year, but we’ve decided to make it our 10-year-not-10-year celebration – the 10th+1 Annual SOOIE. Mauldin BBQ Cook-off!
Produced by the City of Mauldin, the annual festival is a showcase of the heritage of our community, from its food to its music.
The Mauldin BBQ Cook-off features more than 20 cookers from all over the Southeast, competing to bring the best BBQ to Mauldin. The festival opens Friday night with our Anything Butt competition, where Participating Cookers serve anything BUTT their BBQ to pique your tastebuds. Sliders, grilled chicken, smoked cobbler—the only way to know what’s cooking is to come try it for yourself.
Saturday features the main event, a BBQ Cook-off competition with a panel of certified BBQ Tasters from the South Carolina Barbeque Association. The public will also have a chance to cast their vote for the best BBQ and the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Paired with live music and family fun, this can’t-miss festival is the perfect pig-out.
The Scoop
Click on a tab below for more information on each subject.
GENERAL INFO
Want to know what to expect before you get here? Download our printable guide for this event! Plus, A few notes to make your visit a smooth one:
- Lawn chairs and/or blankets are welcome at the outdoor amphitheater.
- Outside food and beverages are prohibited. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site.
- Attendees must be age 21+ to consume alcohol. An ID and wristband ($1) will be required.
- Dogs are allowed on leash. Please carry disposable bags to pick up any pet droppings.
- Smoking, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed at this event.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
6 p.m. | Festival Opens (Anything Butt Competition)*
6 p.m. | Kids Zone Opens
6 p.m. | Live Music – The Vinyl Junkies
9 p.m. | Festival Closes
*Note: Food is served only while supplies last.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021
11 a.m. | Festival Opens (BBQ Cook-Off)*
11 a.m. | Kids Zone Opens
11:30 a.m. | DJ – Will Gladden with LEVEL Digital Media Entertainment
2:30 p.m. | Winners Announced
3 p.m. | Festival Closes
*Note: Food is served only while supplies last.
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THE FOOD
MUSIC
Music and BBQ go together like…well, music and BBQ. All performances are free of charge and will be held in the Mauldin Cultural Center’s Outdoor Amphitheater right on the festival grounds. Bring your lawn chair and blankets to relax, digest, and enjoy the music! Remember — outside food and beverages are prohibited, and this is a smoke-free event.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | 6:00 p.m.
The Vinyl Junkies Band is fueled by their passion for making music, entertaining crowds and creating an unforgettable experience. The Vinyl Junkies play popular favorites from Bruno Mars, Maroon 5 and Black-Eyed Peas to Chaka Khan, Santana and Stevie Wonder. Their premium brass section can rock the house on huge band hits like Chicago and Tower of Power. Their talented and professional musicians come from a variety of backgrounds, having performed or recorded with major label and international artists such as Lady A, Darius Rucker and Mothers Finest; session work on film industry soundtracks such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Men in Black; and stage theatre around the U.S.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 | 11:00 a.m
This year we’re switching up Saturday’s music and hiring a DJ to entertain you during your pig out! Will Gladden, founder of LEVEL Digital Music Entertainment, will provide music for the day, as well as help announce the winners of this year’s Mauldin BBQ Cook-off.
Will Gladden has been providing DJ Services at special events for more than 12 years. After college and graduate school, he pursued a DJ business of his own, and now provides service with a full top-of-the-line setup! Gladden has provided DJ services to an abundance of special events (indoor and outdoor) including, but not limited to weddings, city-wide events, school dances, class reunions, sporting and fitness events, grand openings, and so much more.
KIDS ZONE
The Kids Zone is open Friday and Saturday. All activities are FREE! 2021 Kids Zone coming soon.
SPONSORS AND VENDORS
VOLUNTEER
We have plenty of opportunities for you or your group to volunteer at this year’s BBQ Cook-Off. Volunteers are needed both Friday and Saturday. Volunteers who work receive free food tickets Friday night or a free tasting pass on Saturday.
Each shift is around three hours, but feel free to sign up for multiple shifts.
Just a few rules/regulations:
- Volunteers must check-in with our volunteer coordinator 10-15 minutes prior to shifts.
- Volunteers must be high school age or older. Some positions are only for those age 21+. Middle school students may partner with a parent/adult to volunteer.
- Volunteers should bring a can-do attitude and some room for ‘cue in their bellies.
TEAM REGISTRATION
EVENT DATE: Friday, September 17 & Saturday, September 18, 2021
Only 30 BBQ Team slots are open this year. The event is sanctioned, and judged by the SC BBQ Association, and will award cash prizes to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th places. Teams are required to participate in Friday’s “Anything Butt” competition and showcase their non-BBQ skills (as well as give our lovely guests something to chow down on).
A $125 registration fee is REQUIRED and due for each team at the time of application. The fee is non-refundable for accepted Teams. The City of Mauldin reserves the right to reject any registration. If for some reason, your registration is denied, you will receive a full refund. If for some reason, you cancel after your registration has been received, accepted, and processed, you will be issued a refund if and only if the Event Coordinators can fill the empty slot with another cook team.
REGISTRATION FOR 2021
The registration period will be open through April 30, 2021.
HOW TO APPLY
Review the Rules & Policies form below, then download and complete the registration packet. As soon as you’re ready, submit it along with the $125 registration fee (check, cash or money order ONLY please) to Ally Stein at [email protected] or PO Box 249, Mauldin, SC 29662.
Rules & Policies | Registration Packet
2021 Prizes
Check out our prizes for 2021:
- 1st – $2,500
- 2nd – $2,000
- 3rd – $1,500
- 4th – $1,000
- 5th – $500
- Anything Butt – Free 2022 Registration
- People’s Choice – Free 2022 Registration
2020 WINNERS
Click here to see full scores from the South Carolina Barbeque Association
ANYTHING BUTT – SAVORY:
Smoke by Day, Fire by Night
ANYTHING BUTT – SWEET:
Tail-Gater Hater
RIBS | 4TH PLACE:
Smoke by Day, Fire by Night
RIBS | 3RD PLACE:
FFITS BBQ
RIBS | 2ND PLACE:
High on the Hog BBQ
RIBS | 1ST PLACE:
Vicious Pig BBQ
GABE HUNTER PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
FFITS BBQ
BBQ COOK-OFF | 5TH PLACE:
Tail-Gater Hater
BBQ COOK-OFF | 4TH PLACE:
Vicious Pig BBQ
BBQ COOK-OFF | 3RD PLACE:
The Hog Mafia
BBQ COOK-OFF | 2ND PLACE:
Back Alley BBQ
BBQ COOK-OFF | 1ST PLACE:
Pimp My Pig
