Memphis in May - World Championship Barbecue Contest

Festival Location: Memphis, TN, USA

Festival State: Tennessee Festivals

Festival Type(s): Food Festivals, Bizarre Festivals

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

On the banks of the "Big Muddy," the city of Memphis has hosted the World Championship Barbecue Contest since 1977. It's such a big deal that over 50 cities and towns across the U.S. hold their own sanctioned BBQ cook-offs in hopes that their local hero will bring home the bone. Memphis in May, which is the name of the finger-licking, three-day festival that surrounds the contest, annually attracts about 90,000 pork-picking Americans, who pay $6 for the daily pleasure to watch over 250 big-bellied contestants baste, grill, smoke and generally just ham it up for the title of top hog. Over 30 tons of pork are cooked, which judges rate in three different categories: whole hog, shoulder and ribs. Other competitions include those for the best barbecue sauce and the hottest wings.