Two-day event to feature more than 25 cookers, live music and the Burnt End Zone
The Mauldin Cultural Center is getting ready for another epic pig-out with the 15th annual SOOIE. BBQ Cook-Off presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13. This 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.
“The SOOIE. BBQ Cook-Off is a great way for everyone to come together and sample some great Southern-style barbecue,” Mayor Terry Merritt said. “After 15 years, the festival has become a staple in the Mauldin community and continues to draw people in from all over South Carolina. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back for a weekend filled with good food, family fun and music.”
The festival opens on Friday night at 6 p.m. with the Anything Butt competition, where teams can serve any dish of their choice to pique festivalgoers’ tastebuds. Everything is on the table with this competition – everything BUTT their BBQ. That includes sliders, grilled chicken, smoked cobbler and fried alligator bites. A panel of guest judges will pick their favorite item and give out a special award at the awards ceremony on Saturday. Friday night will also feature live music by Trey Duncan starting at 6 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 can sample pulled pork from cook teams of their choosing and 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 Cody Gentry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
New Specialty Zones
Additional food and beverage vendors, along with Growler Haus, will be on site for the event. New this year is the Burnt End Zone, sponsored by WOW! Fiber Internet, a football-themed area featuring tailgating games, an inflatable football toss, cooling fans and more. The Kids Zone will offer activities including face painting, balloon art and, for the first time, a mechanical bull. Returning this year is the Backyard Oasis, sponsored by Ace Hardware, which will provide a space to relax with hammocks, fire pits and shaded seating.
“This year marks the 15th anniversary of the City of Mauldin’s beloved SOOIE BBQ Cook-off,” Event Manager Caitlyn Pendleton said. “To celebrate this milestone, the event is turning up the heat with some exciting new activities for attendees of all ages. We invite everyone to celebrate this special anniversary with live music, activation zones and the best barbeque in the Upstate.”
Parking, Prices & Additional Details
Admission, parking, live music and the Kids Zone are free of charge; guests pay only for food, drink and rides on the mechanical bull. Prices are as follows:
- $5 for sheet of 5 tickets
- 1 ticket = 1 BBQ tasting (or $1 at food trucks)
- Drinks and alcohol are $1-6, paid directly to beverage providers; tickets not accepted
- Mechanical bull rides: $3 each
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 Methodist Church – 100 E. Butler Rd (Friday only)
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, the City of Mauldin, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Direct Auto Insurance, Garrett’s Golf Cars, Harrison’s Workwear, IPS Packaging, LocaliQ/Greenville News, Presort Plus, Renewal by Andersen, and Simon/Haywood Mall.
For more information, visit www.mauldinbbq.com.