Chester County’s barbecue festival is just two weeks away, and preparations are in full swing.
According to the Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce, the 47th Annual BBQ Festival will offer many long-time favorites and will introduce a few new ones, too, such as the BBQ Festival Kick-Off and the Chester County Sauce-Off. The festival will see updates to some events like the talent show and character meet and greet, and location changes for others. Check out the Sept. 25 edition of the Chester County Independent for the full schedule of events, map, and festival information.
Festivities begin with the Saturday, Sept. 20 with the Miss BBQ Festival Pageant at the First Methodist Church gymnasium, 151 North Ave., in Henderson. The pageant begins at 10 a.m., day-of registration starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $45 with $10 late fee added after Sept. 18. All winners will be eligible for the Strawberry Festival Pageant.
The official BBQ Festival Kick-Off will expand the usual Thursday evening Touch-A-Truck event. In the same time slot and location, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Henderson church of Christ parking lot, the Kick-off will be a free event and will include the trucks as well as inflatables, games and carnival-type food (popcorn, etc.) provided by area churches and organizations.
Friday night’s talent show will be split between Friday and Saturday this year, with the youth division on Friday evening and adults to perform Saturday evening. Another change for this year is that the youth division will also be separated into two categories, for older and younger competitors (ages 13-20 12 and under). There is a $25 entry fee for all competitors and cash prizes – first place $200, second place $100 and third place $50.
Saturday’s princess/hero event for kids will be a Character Meet and Greet this year, held upstairs inside Henderson City Hall. Children will get a chance to have their photo taken with their favorite characters. This event will also include face painting and cookie decorating.
Hog Callin’ will return to the festival this year, for the third consecutive year, with cash prizes of $500 for first prize and $250 for second.
The annual Hog Wild Cornhole Tournament changes location this year, from Main St. to the opposite corner of the festival, to Cason St., behind the Tailgate Zone. Sign-ups begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 and bags fly at 6 p.m. There will be competitive and beginners’ brackets with a blind draw, cash prize and $10 entry. The car show also changes location, from Front Street to Main Street near Cason Avenue.
A big addition to the festival for 2025 is the first annual Chester County Sauce-Off. This competition is open to all ages, no experience required! Registration begins Saturday at 10 a.m., with sauces to be delivered to the Sauce-Off tent on Crook Avenue between noon and 12:15 p.m. There is a $20 entry fee, no store bought sauces allowed, all must be original recipes and must be presented in contest-provided containers. Participants must be present to win, winners will be announced on stage Saturday at 2 p.m., prizes will be awarded. See the Sept. 25 Independent insert for a full list of rules and guidelines. Other events include the 5K/1 Mile Pig Trot, Dunkin’ Booth, Pet Parade, Pedal Tractor Pull, Street Dancin, Tailgate Zone, Tractor Show and Wagon Ride, as well as a wide assortment of food and entertainment.
Returning to Chester County for their second year, Perry’s BBQ and Catering will again preside over the barbecue tent, putting their own spin on the festival’s main ingredient.
Perry’s BBQ is a family-owned and operated business from Paris, Tennessee. In addition to catering, the business operates a food truck and offers both whole hog and shoulders, homemade sides, sauces and more.
The 47th annual Chester County BBQ Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 and from 9 a.m. unitl 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. For more information, call the Chamber at 989-5222 or go to chestercountybbqfestival.com.
