The History
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.
Due to COVID-19
PLEASE NOTE: The continuation of the 2020 Mauldin BBQ Cook-off as scheduled will depend on the City of Mauldin’s ongoing evaluation of the COVID-19 epidemic. Should it be unsafe to hold this event, it may be cancelled or postponed. We will post an announcement on this page and our social media if there are any changes to the schedule.
View our COVID-19 protocols for SOOIE. 2020: COVID-19 Policy | COVID-19 Waiver
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.Please refrain from bringing dogs to this year’s event due to COVID-19.- Smoking, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed at this event.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
6 p.m. | Festival Opens (Anything Butt Competition)*
6 p.m. | Kids Zone Opens
6 p.m. | Live Music by The Holiday Band
9 p.m. | Fireworks
9 p.m. | Festival Closes
*Note: Food is served only while supplies last.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
11 a.m. | Festival Opens (BBQ Cook-Off)*
11 a.m. | Kids Zone Opens
11:30 a.m. | Live Music by The Catalinas
2:30 p.m. | Winners Announced
3 p.m. | Festival Closes
*Note: Food is served only while supplies last.
The Blood Connection will be on-site from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
All donors will receive a $20 Visa Gift Card. Download the flier.
Like this event on Facebook!
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 18, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
For those who haven’t seen The Holiday Band, you don’t know what you are missing. They’ve experienced a few changes over the last few years, but are the strongest they’ve ever been. The band is standing tall with Mike Taylor (Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards), Bob Martin (Saxophone), Tim Taylor (Vocals, Bass Guitar), Ronnie Farrington (Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keys, Guitar), Wayne Moore (Drums, Vocals), and Lucas Cook (Keys). They’ve recently added Chase Given (Vocals, Trumpet, Keys, Guitar) and Maurice Leggett running sound. This line-up provides the strongest and most diverse band that the Holiday Band has seen ever, and it shows in the faces that see the band play.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | 11:30 a.m
The Catalinas began in 1957 and celebrates their 63 Anniversary in 2020! The band’s popularity is based primarily in southeastern U.S. However, their music is played on radio stations in the UK, Greece and Australia to name a few. Known for their quality, tight sound and energy onstage, they are one of the “in demand” groups for city festivals, weddings and private parties, always playing a variety of music that suits all ages. Though known primarily for Beach music, regionally and nationally for the mega hit “Summertime’s Callin’ Me,” they play all styles to a high standard of excellence. “Summertime’s Callin’ Me” has become the anthem of North and South Carolina beach goers as they struggle through the winter waiting on summer to arrive. The band’s latest CD, Dancin’ Romancin’, was nominated for “Album of the Year” at the year’s Carolina Beach Music Awards. The band’s latest single, “Beyond the Sea,” is near the top 10 on Fess Hooks chart on JukinOldies.com. The Catalinas recently welcome their newest member, Angela Resignalo as a lead vocalist in the band! Angela is from Mt Airy, NC and was recently a star performer at the Rudy Theater in Selma, NC since 2006. Be listening and watching out for new recordings featuring her very soon!
KIDS ZONE
The Kids Zone is open Friday and Saturday. All activities are FREE! Due to COVID-19, we have removed most activities from our kids zone to eliminate additional contact. We will however host a petting zoo. These activities are subject to change – check back for updated information!
Petting Zoo
Fun Activity by Cub Scout Pack 725
SPONSORS AND VENDORS
Thank you to our 2020 sponsors and vendors:
Stage Sponsor | Duke Energy
Fireworks Sponsor | United Community Bank
Supporting Sponsor | Lending Path Mortgage
Supporting Sponsor | Servus Realty Group
The Blood Connection will be on-site from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. All donors will receive a $20 Visa Gift Card. Download the flier.
Other vendors
- AJ’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice
- Chocolate Artworks
- Matthew Darling’s Boiled Peanuts
- Pound 4 Pound Sweet Treats
- Young’s Backyard BBQ Sauce
- Fun Activity by Cub Scout Pack 725
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 two and a half 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.
Want to volunteer? Click here to sign up for a spot!
Sign up for our volunteer e-blast to be the first to know when other volunteer opportunities at the Mauldin Cultural Center are available!
TEAM REGISTRATION
EVENT DATE: Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19, 2020
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 2020
The registration period has been extended through June 30, 2020. Sign up below!
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 Mary Jane Parks at [email protected] or PO Box 249, Mauldin, SC 29662.
Rules & Policies | Registration Packet
2020 Prizes
Check out our prizes for 2020:
- 1st – $2,000
- 2nd – $1,500
- 3rd – $1,000
- 4th – $500
- 5th – $100
- Anything Butt – Free 2021 Registration
- People’s Choice – Free 2021 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
