FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
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2,000-4,000 VISITORS
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40-70 COMPETING COOK TEAMS
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2 DAYS OF EVENTS-STREET PARTY, CAR SHOW & CONTESTS
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SUPPORTED BY THE PIG ON THE RIDGE STEERING COMMITTEE, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS
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SANCTIONED BY THE S.C. BARBECUE ASSOCIATION
Pig on the Ridge is one of South Carolina's most beloved festivals and is consistently ranked as the state's top barbecue cook-off. Over this two-day event we host 2,000-4,000 people here in Ridgeway. As an official sponsor of the Annual Pig on the Ridge Festival, you and your organization can become an important part of this family-friendly event and gain recognition through your support. Your sponsorship will pay dividends by generating new business, supporting worthwhile charities (such as an annual Christmas fund for needy children) and cooking up a great future for our community.
Cook Team Competition Categories
This selection determines the division in which the cook team will compete for prizes.
Category I- (Professional)
Chief Cook has been a contestant in more than two competitive BBQ Cook-Offs.
Category II- (Amateur)
Chief Cook has not been a contestant in more than two BBQ Cook-Offs.
"NO PIGS ALLOWED"
FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 1st
Each Cook Team MUST participate in Friday night's festivities by cooking dishes other than pork. No entry fee is required. Participants are expected to prepare, at their own expense, a sufficient quantity of food for public samples (non-pork).
The festival will sell tickets for this event and will receive all proceeds. There is to be NO SELLING other foods and drinks. Participants will be judged for the competition by the number of tickets redeemed at each cook site with the winners in each category announced Saturday at the Awards Celebration. Tickets are to be submitted on Saturday morning when plates are brought for judging.
Several activities will be occurring Friday night, including a street dance. In 2017, about 3000 people turned out so each cook team should prepare a sufficient quantity.
Cook-Off Prizes
Category I
1st Place-$2000 & Trophy
2nd Place-$1000 & Trophy
3rd Place-$500 & Trophy
4th Place-$250 & Trophy
5th Place-Trophy
Category II
1st Place-$500 & Trophy
2nd Place-$250 & Trophy
3rd Place-$125 & Trophy
4th Place-$75 & Trophy
5th Place-Trophy
Friday Night-No Pigs Allowed
(All Competitors)
1st Place-$500 & Trophy
2nd Place $250 & Trophy
Hog Calling
Division I-Ages 12 and Under
Division II-Ages 13 and Over
(Trophies awarded for each division)
1st Place-Trophy
2nd Place-Trophy
Rules and Regulations
The Pig on the Ridge Committee has the right to reject any application.
Chief Cooks check in for site locations by 5:00pm, November 1st, 2024. EARLY ARRIVAL ENCOURAGED. Meat will arrive and be distributed at 3:00pm.
Boston Butts (16) are provided and may only be cooked above ground with wood, charcoal, gas or a combination.
ONLY PRO/Category I Cook Teams have the option to cook (8) Boston Butts for an entry fee of $200. Invoices must be paid prior to October 15th. Cook teams are still required to participate in "No Pigs Allowed" (Friday night).
Selling any other foods and drinks is prohibited.
Contestants must provide their own supplies: Hats, aprons, tables, chairs, utensils, grill, wood, charcoal, gas, fire extinguisher, cooking ingredients, 150 foot extension cord, 100 foot garden hose, grill/tent cover, etc.
Judging begins at 9:30am on Saturday, November 2nd. A plate of BBQ must be ready for tasting at the blind judging station. You MUST bring tickets from Friday night sales at this time as well.
The rest of the BBQ meat must be immediately available at the cook site for sponsors and the general public. The general public will purchase tickets at central locations and can redeem at contestant grills for specified quantities of BBQ. Selling/holding whole Boston Butts is PROHIBITED and your team will be disqualified. Any other use or disposal of BBQ is PROHIBITED and violators may be ineligible to participate in future events. BBQ not redeemed for tickets becomes the property of the Town of Ridgeway.
Cooking areas may be decorated with non-offensive and non-business streamers, banners, flags, signs, etc., boasting about your team. COMPANY ADVERTISING NOT PERMITTED.
Cancellations after October 23rd may result in the cook team being billed $150 for the cost of the raw meat. "No shows" will be considered cancellations. Your team will be ineligible to participate in future events.
ALL JUDGING DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
