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The 26th Annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition and Festival begins this Friday evening and continues through Saturday. This year, it is bigger and better than before, founder and organizer Pam Andererson said. 

Smoke on the Water is one of the largest annual events held in Washington. Every year since 1998, competition barbecue teams have lined Stewart’s Parkway by the waterfront in the hopes their unique recipes will earn top honors. This year, 42 teams will compete to win the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship which is sanctioned by the NC Pork Council or the state championship of the Traditional Cooking contest. Traditional cooking methods include grilling over wood or charcoal. 

But Smoke on the Water is more than a barbecue competition. It is a fundraiser for local charities. The Washington Noon Rotary – of which Anderson is a member- collects thousands of dollars in donations that area charities can apply for and may receive. Since 1998, Smoke on the Water has brought in more than $300,000, Anderson shared. 

When judging is complete on Saturday, festival attendees can purchase barbecue prepared by competition teams. Barbecue sandwiches and tubs by the pound will be on sale at lunchtime. 

While attendees wait to pig out on a barbecue lunch they can go to like; the new beer garden, the car show, the special Kids Zone, train rides, peruse over 60 vendors’ booths or listen to live music by The Embers ft. Craig Woolard (Friday starting at 5 p.m. at Festival Park) or the Patriots Band (Saturday afternoon behind Ribeyes Steakhouse). 

In past years, a small group of people gathered on Main Street by the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Caboose to host a New Orleans-esque jazz funeral for the pigs used in the competition. This year, however, the quirky kick-off to Smoke on the Water will look differently this year. 

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday with the line-up starting 15 minutes before. There will be parade floats, dancers, a motorcycle and Jeep brigade, people wearing pig motifs and two live pigs. 

A Halloween costume contest has been added this year with help from Alternative Stage. Adults and children can compete to win $100 in separate overall contests. Kids also have the chance to win prettiest, scariest or funniest costumes and $100 is given for each award. There is also a costume contest for the best Joe Paul look-alike. The winner of the look-alike contest will be awarded $100. Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service is sponsoring the costume contest. Costume contest registration will be at the Turnage Theatre between 5:30 and 6 p.m., then at 6:15 judging will begin. Prizes will be awarded at 6:30 p.m. 

Washington residents should be aware of street closures that will be in effect this weekend. Changes to downtown parking and street closures will begin at 5 a.m. on Friday and continue till 6 p.m. on Saturday. 

The following roads will be closed: Stewart Parkway from Main Street to Market Street, Water Street from Market Street to Bonner Street and Respess Street from Main Street to Stewart Parkway. All parking lots on Stewarts Parkway will be closed. Starting Saturday morning, Market Street from Main Street to Stewarts Parkway will be closed for vendor and car show traffic. The parking lot across from Mac Bear Hodges will be closed both days. 

Golf Carts not being used by Smoke on the Water will not be permitted to enter the festival area. 

WHAT: Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition and Festival 

WHEN: Friday Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

WHERE: Washington Waterfront and Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park on Water Street. 

TICKETS: It is free to attend; however, BBQ will be for sale. Childrens amusement rides are free and there is no entry fee for the costume contest.