North Carolina Bar-B-Q Hall Of Fame Inducts Inaugural Class
The inaugural class of the North Carolina Bar-B-Q Hall of Fame was inducted on Friday, March 1st. I’m surprised this didn’t happen years ago. According to WRAL-TV, the ceremony was held at the Alliance Convention Center in Burlington. Ticket sales from the event helped raise $3,000 to benefit Alamance County veterans. The induction ceremony also featured a performance by country music legends the Oak Ridge Boys.
The honorees are all well-known pitmasters who founded some of the most beloved and iconic barbecue restaurants across the state. The Class of 2024 includes:
- Sam Jones of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh
- Pete Jones of Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden
- Kent Bridges of Alston Bridges Barbecue in Shelby
- Steve and Gerri Grady of Grady’s BBQ in Dudley
- Charles Hursey of Hursey’s Bar-B-Q in Burlington, Mebane and Graham
- Wayne Monk of Lexington Barbecue in Lexington
- Charles Stamey of Stamey’s Barbecue in Greensboro
The North Carolina Bar-B-Q Hall of Fame website is already counting down to next year’s induction. Who do you think should be nominated for the Class of 2025? Even though it’s no longer in business on South Boulevard in Charlotte, I think Bill Spoon’s Barbecue would be a fitting choice. Back in 2012, it was recognized as one of America’s ten best barbecue restaurants. More recent additions to our state’s barbecue scene such as Midwood Smokehouse and Sweet Lew’s may very well find themselves in the Hall of Fame someday, too.
Local Barbecue Festivals
If you’re a truly devoted barbecue lover, there are a few weekends you’ll want to keep open on your calendar this spring:
- The Carolina BBQ Festival is set to take place April 5-6 at Victoria Yards (209 East 7th Street) in uptown Charlotte. You’ll be able to sample Eastern NC, Western NC, and South Carolina-style barbecue, as well as crawfish and oysters.
- Moo, Brew, & ‘Que Music Fest is happening April 12-14 at the AvidXchange Music Factory (1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd.) just north of uptown Charlotte. The three-day event will feature local and regional barbecue, over 50 beers, craft cocktails, and live music.
- Jiggy with the Piggy returns to downtown Kannapolis, May 2-5. It includes a Kansas City Barbecue Society Competition, People’s Choice Pork Tasting Contest, a Craig Morgan concert, 5K run/walk race, more than 100 artisans, fireworks, and a kids’ zone.
