The rain changed our plans, but it didn’t stop this community from showing up for Smoke on the Water.

Thank you to our cooks, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and everyone who came out to support us. We appreciate every bit of work and every person who helped make this weekend happen.

All other festival activities and food sales have closed. If you’re heading our way for BBQ, please use the drive-thru and travel safely.

Food & competitions

The smoke is the signal.

Whole-hog barbecue, pots of homemade chili and more than 30 competitive cookers bring the flavor to Washington's waterfront.

Carolina barbecue on the Pamlico

The main event

Whole-hog cook-off

Smoke on the Water is a Natural Source State Championship in the Carolina Barbecue League. Competitive cookers tend their pigs through the night before Saturday morning judging.

Once judging is complete, the pigs are chopped and served to the public. Get there early—the barbecue is one of the weekend’s biggest traditions.

Online submissions are closed. Please call Pam Anderson at 252-944-6136 to get on a waiting list.

See cook-off times →

Bring your appetite

More ways to eat well

Chili cook-off

Sample a lineup that runs from friendly and mild to full-on spicy, all made by local and regional teams.

Festival vendors

Explore food trucks and festival vendors across the waterfront throughout Friday evening and Saturday.

Online submissions are closed. Please call Pam Anderson at 252-944-6136 to get on a waiting list.

BBQ to go

Pick up a barbecue sandwich at the festival or use the convenient drive-through barbecue option on Saturday.

Keep exploring

Everything you need for festival weekend

01Schedule→02Entertainment→03Plan Your Visit→04Sponsors→

🌧️ Thank you, Washington!