The Washington (noon) Rotary, area residents and out-of-towners are putting on their bibs as they prepare to dig into barbecue from 33 pigs this weekend at Washington’s premiere barbecue festival, Smoke on the Water.

Smoke on the Water officially kicks off tonight with the annual Pig Parade, a funeral-like procession down Main Street, in honor of the slaughtered pigs that make the event possible. Following the parade, musicians will take to the streets for the last Music in the Streets of the year, and a showmanship contest will take place, in which Rotarians will judge the best décor among pig-cooking booths.

According to Pam Anderson, event coordinator and president-elect of the noon Rotary, the event features more pigs cooked than in recent years, meaning a lot more barbecue to go around.

“If (people) don’t come with this beautiful weather, they’re going to miss the best festival ever,” Anderson said. “We’ve had hurricanes and people still come — that’s how good this festival is. It’s the best barbecue from around the state, and everyone wants a taste.”

The event, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, raises much needed funds for area nonprofits, including the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, Boys & Girls Club of Washington, Eagles Wings, Ruth’s House, Purpose of God Annex, Toys for Tots and several others, according to Anderson.

“A lot of nonprofit groups funding has been cut,” Anderson said. “This little extra boost they get from us means all the world to them, as well. Last year, we bought 48 bikes for Toys for Tots. That’s the kind of thing we do. We put $10,000 back into the community last year. That’s why we do this. That’s what Rotarians do — we give back. And as far as economic impact, Smoke on the Water attracts the kind of crowd that spends money and the merchants in town and area hotels do very well. The dragon boat races bring a lot of people too.”

Saturday morning will arrive with the smells and tastes of food, as judging begins for both barbecue and chili competitions. Festivalgoers will have the chance to chow down on an array of cooking styles or purchase chili and barbecue to take home.

A full lineup of events scheduled for the Smoke on the Water barbecue championship can be found below.

Schedule of Events

October 16^th and 17^th, 2015

Friday October 16

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.                 Dragon Boat Training (J Dock at Festival Park)

5 p.m.                                         BBQ Chief Cookers Meeting

6:30 p.m.                                   Pig Parade

6:30 p.m.                                   Music in the Streets begins

7:30 p.m.                                   Pig-Cooking Showmanship Competition Judging

9 p.m.                                         BBQ Pigs Delivered to Competitive Cookers

 

Saturday October 17

7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.        Breakfast fundraiser

8 a.m.                                         BBQ Cook Off Judging Begins

8 a.m. – noon                           Car Show Registration

7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.                 Dragon Boat Training (J Dock at Festival Park)

9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.                 Chili Cookers Set-Up (Chamber Parking Lot)

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.                     WRNS LIVE REMOTE

9 a.m. –  5 p.m.                       Artisans & Vendors

9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.               Dragon Boat Training (Promenade near Festival Park)

9:30 a.m.                                   Chili Cooks Meeting (Chamber Parking Lot)

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.                     Iron Order Humane Society Benefit Ride

10 a.m.                                       Chili Cook Off Judging Begins

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.                     Classic Car Show

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                        Arts of the Pamlico’s Fine Art Show (at the Turnage Theater)

10 a.m.                                       Chili Sales Begin (Chamber Parking lot)

10 a.m. – noon                        Live Music by Squier Red & The Blues Band (Main Stage)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.                     Dragon Boat Races (on the waterfront)

10:30 a.m.                                BBQ Sales begin

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.                     MAGIC 95.9 LIVE REMOTE

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.      BBQ Contest Awards Announced (Headquarters RV)

11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.      CHILI Contest Awards Announced (Headquarters RV)

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.        Live Music by Victor Hudson (Main Stage)

12 p.m. – 3 p.m.                     ECU School of Theatre and Dance Storybook Theatre (KID ZONE TENT)

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.                        BCDC “Pulling for the Kids” Fire Engine Pull

2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.                 Eagles Wings “Ducks on the Water” Duck Race (G Dock at Festival Park)

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.                        Live Music by the Riverboat Jazz Band (Main Stage)

4 p.m.                                         Car Show Awards

5 p.m.                                         Festival ends