If you're anywhere near Lexington, NC next Saturday, then you don't want to miss the fun. This is the 24th year for the festival, and this one gets better and better.
I'm counting down the days until the Lexington Barbecue Festival. This year the festival is on Saturday, Oct 27 (2007). It's always on one of the last two Saturdays of October. If you've missed it for this year, just check the web page. They plan for this big gala all year round and post loads of information online. I always check a few times during the year and make sure I clear the date on my family calendar.
The Lexington NC Barbecue Festival is rather unique, since all the barbecue gloves are put away - so to speak. Lexington is a hot bed for barbecue with various restaurants serving up wonderful pork on buns with famous Lexington style vinegar sauce. Each little barbecue joint has a different way of doing things, but on festival day, everyone comes together with a common barbecue that reflects the flavor of the area. There are several tents scattered up and down the main street serving identical que sandwiches.
After you taste the signature sandwich of the area and the festival, there are lots of booths set up with people hawking family made sauces. This is a great chance to discover a new flavor of mild, hot, or flaming.
I also buy my cheese dip mixes at the festival. A couple of ladies set up and offer pretzels to taste various dips. My boys know I'll go looking for the Cheese Ball Lady and buy some favorite flavors and try out some new ones. The mixes come in little zip lock bag with directions. I'm set for the year and can quickly make a great snack that tastes fabulous.
The festival isn't just food. It's loads of fun with things like pig sculptures made of sand, bands playing, rides for the kids and games of chance.
