The Mauldin Cultural Center is gearing up for another epic pig-out with the 14th annual SOOIE. BBQ Cook-Off presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14. The two-day event will feature more than 25 cookers along with live music and family-friendly activities at the Cultural Center’s outdoor amphitheater at 101 E. Butler Rd.
“SOOIE. is a wonderful celebration of South Carolina barbecue and local community that’s become a signature event in Mauldin over the past 14 years,” Mayor Terry Merritt said. “This festival is a great way to spend a weekend as summer winds down, and we’re looking forward to welcoming folks back to the Mauldin Cultural Center amphitheater for more delicious food, live music and family-friendly fun.”
The festival opens Friday night with the Anything Butt competition, where participating cookers serve anything BUTT their BBQ to pique festivalgoers’ tastebuds. Everything is on the table with this competition, including sliders, grilled chicken, grilled vegetable medley and smoked cobbler. A panel of guest judges will pick their favorite item and give out a special award during Saturday’s award ceremony. Friday night will also feature live music from the Away Team starting at 6 p.m. and a firework show sponsored by United Community Bank starting at 8:45 p.m.
Saturday features the main event — a BBQ Cook-off competition with a panel of certified BBQ Tasters from the South Carolina Barbeque Association. Members of the public will be able to sample pulled pork from the cookers of their choosing and will have a chance to cast their vote for the best BBQ and the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Saturday will also feature live music from Angela Easterling & The Beguilers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additional food and beverage vendors and Growler Haus will be on site for the event. There will also be a Bark-B-Q Zone for leashed dogs and a Kids Zone featuring free activities including face painting and a LEGO build station.
“This year we are bringing back guests’ favorite elements while adding some fun new activities,” Cultural Center Manager Christine Faust said. “We think everyone is going to love hanging out in our backyard oasis while sampling delicious food from amazing BBQ masters. The fireworks on Friday night will add a little extra sizzle.”
Admission, parking, live music and the Kids Zone are free of charge; guests pay only for food and drink. Prices are as follows:
- $5 for sheet of 5 tickets
- 1 ticket = 1 BBQ tasting (or $1 at food trucks)
- Drinks and alcohol are $1-5, paid directly to beverage providers; tickets not accepted
Parking is recommended at the following locations:
- Mauldin Cultural Center – 101 E. Butler Rd
- Mauldin City Hall – 5 E. Butler Rd
- Mauldin Sports Center – 10 City Center Drive
- Mauldin United Methodist Church – 100 E. Butler Rd
Lawn chairs and/or blankets are welcome at the outdoor amphitheater, and leashed dogs are allowed. Outside food and beverages are prohibited at the event. Weapons, skateboards, scooters, hoverboards and bicycles are also prohibited, and there is no smoking allowed.
This event takes place rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, all weather-related announcements will be made on the Mauldin Cultural Center’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Event sponsors include the South Carolina Federal Credit Union, WOW Fiber Internet, Ace Hardware, Greenville Journal, Greenville News, Cristina Ortiz State Farm Insurance, Direct Auto Insurance, Renewal by Andersen of the Carolinas and the City of Mauldin.
For more information, visit www.mauldinbbq.com.
