Registration is open for cookers for the 9th Annual SOOIE. Mauldin BBQ Cook-off! This year’s event will take place on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21.
Only 30 BBQ Team slots are open this year. The event is sanctioned and judged by the South Carolina Barbeque Association (SCBA), and cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th places. In addition to Saturday’s competition, Cookers are required to participate in Friday’s “Anything Butt” competition, showcasing their non-BBQ skills. A $150 registration fee ($125 registration, $25 rib buy-in) is due for each team.
Registration forms can be found online at mauldinbbq.com and will be collected April 1 – 30, 2019. Teams may not be notified of receipt, but ALL teams will be notified of acceptance or denial on May 10, 2019. Completed forms can be submitted along with the $150 registration fee (check, cash, or money order ONLY please) to Mary Jane Parks at mparks@mauldinrecreation.com or P.O. Box 249, Mauldin, SC 29662. All checks and money orders can be made payable to City of Mauldin.
Produced by the City of Mauldin, the annual SOOIE. Mauldin BBQ Cook-off showcases the heritage of the community through food and music. Hosted at the Mauldin Cultural Center’s outdoor amphitheater, the festival features teams from all over the Southeast, competing in a BBQ cook-off judged by the SCBA, as well as live music, family activities, and a relaxing atmosphere. 2018’s festival brought in nearly double the crowds of the previous year’s event, showing people’s growing interest in the City of Mauldin and its events.
There were twelve awards handed out in total in 2018’s competition. Friday’s “Anything Butt” winners were Ray Stokes with Getting’ Piggy With It in the Savory category and Mike Sanders with Blind Swine BBQ in the Sweet category. Saturday’s Brisket competition winner was James Davila with The Saucy Pig. There were three winners for Ribs: in third place, Ronnie Bishop with Chica-Piga-Moo; in second, Jarad Rikard with Dozed & B’Qued; and in first place for ribs was Jason Fleck with Palmetto Q Crew. People’s Choice was won by Seth Vaughn with Off the Grill.
There were five winners for Saturday’s main competition. In fifth, Kevin Glenn with Palmetto Smoke BBQ; in fourth, Joe Hilliard with Bold Brand Bar-B-Que Boys; in third, David McLaurin with Mac’s Lunch Competition BBQ Team; in second, James Davila with The Saucy Pig; and in first place, Jarad Rikard with Dozed & B’Qued.
The Mauldin Cultural Center hosts many events throughout the year, including SOOIE. Upcoming events for the summer include a comedy show by Country Cool; the Spring in Bloom festival; the Beachin’ Fridays summer music series; and the Mauldin Farmers Market. For more information on the Mauldin Cultural Center’s upcoming events, visit mauldinculturalcenter.org.
