From an idea to a national success

The seeds of the festival date back to 1993, when the Polk County Chamber of Commerce Board was brainstorming ideas for a fundraiser. Board member and barbecue legend Jim Tabb had the idea of hosting a barbecue cook-off in his own home town. Jim is a retired airline pilot and internationally acclaimed barbecue judge. By using his connections in the barbecue world, Jim was able to pull together a field of 24 cook teams and as many judges for the first Blue Ridge Barbecue in 1994.

One secret to this festival’s success has been Jim’s insistence on inviting only the best, most experienced barbecue judges to our event. This consistent quality of judging gives potential cook teams the assurance that their entries will be judged fairly, without the danger that an inexperienced judge will throw off the results.

As a result, combined with the royal treatment they receive at the hands of our volunteers, the field of competitors has grown each year, totalling more than 90 teams in recent Festivals. The total prize purse of more than $25,000 doesn’t hurt participation, either.

The event is held at Harmon Field, a quintessential Polk County location at the foot of Warrior Mountain along the banks of the Pacolet River. Participants and visitors enjoy the tranquil beauty of the site as well as the “isothermal effect,” a local geographic phenomenon that makes the Harmon Field area several degrees cooler in summer than surrounding locales. Obtaining the coveted North Carolina State Championship designation from the Governor added prestige. Former Governor Hunt, and now Governor Mike Easley, have renewed the championship designation every year.