Parade of Pigs, 1998 Lexington Barbecue Festival. Photo courtesy Lexington Dispatch
|
Lexington Barbecue Festival
In the city of Lexington and Davidson County,
October is Barbecue Month, culminating in the Barbecue Festival
held on one of the last two Saturdays in the month. At the
festival, barbecue, slaw, and french fries are served under three
large tents, harking back to Lexington's first barbecue restaurant,
also a tent, that opened in 1919. (Today there are over 20 barbecue
restaurants in the city.)
The legendary Piedmont-style barbecue is made from
pork shoulders that are slow-roasted over hickory wood until they
are "fall-apart tender." The meat is basted with a vinegar-based
"dip" as it cooks, resulting in a rich, smoky flavor. Other
festival attractions include five stages of entertainment
showcasing local and national artists, a juried arts and crafts
competition, more than 400 exhibitors, and a section of rides and
games for children dubbed Piglet Land. Held since 1984, the
festival drew more than 120,000 visitors in 1997, quadrupling the
original attendance figure.
Originally submitted by: Melvin L. Watt, Representative (12th District).
More Local Legacies... |
|
|
The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
|