If you’re like me–i.e., you’ve gone nearly 12 hours since you last ate barbecue–take comfort in the fact that you can get your ‘cue fix this weekend. Tonight and tomorrow in Lincolnton is the annual Hog Happenin’, not to be confused with the Wil King Hog Happenin’ in Kinston that took place way back in May, or the Hog Happnin’ in Shelby in November. According to the festival website, the Lincolnton event features “a regional bike fest and Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned North Carolina State Championship Barbeque Cook-off that brings motorcycle owners and Barbeque teams together in downtown Lincolnton… While there are many hog events throughout North Carolina, Lincolnton was the first to combine the animal with the mechanical.” Hogs and Hogs, get it? Honestly, it took me a second…
The event draws close to 10,000 people to little downtown Lincolton, including volunteers from members of the Christian Motorcycle Association, Carolina Faith Riders, Freedom Biker Church. Who knew there were so many motorcyclists riding for the lord? I sure didn’t but good for them. Word on the street is that the Veggie Tales Vegan-Baptist Biker Society is sitting out the Hog Happenin’ but may return for the yam portion of the Ham & Yam Festival in Smithfield next year.
At any rate, the Lincolnton event is free and open to the public. Many more details online, and probably many more religious biker clubs I have not yet learned about.
Filed under: Hog Happenings | Tagged: Competitions, Festivals, Lincoln County, Lincolnton |
BBQ Jew 
Thanks for the alert Porky!!! My dearly beloved and I will be judging this fine event. I’ll let you know how things turned out afterward.
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back and report on this event, but I’ve been swamped at work (62 hours last week) with Pentagon and State regulatory inspections!!!
The Hog Happenin’ in Lincolnton was the convergence of hogs (barbecue) and hawgs (Harleys) and was actually quite interesting! There must have been a couple hundred cycles there most of them roaring their engines repeatedly when arriving and leaving, turning the normally picturesque small town courthouse area and serene scene into a clamorous turbulent “happenin’”.
Secluded inside the Citizens Center, the 47 official KCBS “judges” (including 38 CBJs judging the 32 professional teams and 5 “backyard” teams; 7 “Table Captains”; and two “Contest Reps”) took great pride and pleasure in the task that lay before them – to objectively and subjectively evaluate each barbeque meat as presented to their eyes, nose, hands, and palate. So that “truth, Justice, excellence in Barbeque, and the American Way of Life may be strengthened and preserved forever.”
After two hours of judging, and a couple more for tabulating the scores, the winners were announced and “Checkered Pig” was crowned Grand Champion with “Cool Smoke” as Reserve Champion.
A fun time was had by all and I look forward to doing it all again in Lincolnton next year!