Mississippi’s grilling masters will put their skills to the test this weekend at the third annual Roast-n-Boast barbecue competition in Columbus.
The festival, formerly known as the Possum Town Pig Fest, is the official barbecue championship for the state of Mississippi. In addition, the event is part of the Memphis In May contest network.
The Roast-n-Boast will be held at the Columbus Fairgrounds on Miss. Highway 69 this Friday and Saturday. Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday, and admission is $10.
Aside from having some of Mississippi’s tastiest barbecue, the event will feature live music, a mechanical bull and inflatable jousting and jumpers. Organizers said this year’s event was re-organized to cater to the younger and older crowd.
Some of the bands scheduled to perform include Thirty Fingers-featuring Columbus mayor Jeffrey Rupp-The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Freeway, who will all take the stage Friday. The Kentucky Headhunters and Swing Shift perform Saturday night.
Coolers are not allowed, but beer vendors along with barbecue vendors will be present.
The competition includes 40 teams that will compete in three different categories including shoulders, ribs and whole hogs. Each category will have three contestants make it to the final round. The final round will have one winning team from each category. The champions will receive $2,500 and a berth into the Memphis in May competition. The panel of experts will consist of four Memphis In May judges. The competition starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.
Harvey Myrick, an organizer of Roast-n-Boast, hopes to draw a large crowd this weekend.
“We are hoping to see close to 20,000 people this weekend,” Myrick said.
Myrick also added that he would love to see some of the college crowd at the festival.
“It would be great to get some of the college kids out here to experience the Roast-n-Boast,” he said.
In addition to the barbecue, live music, and games, the festival will feature a “hog callin'” contest at 7 p.m. Friday.
A backyard competition and an “anything but pork” challenge will be held for the amateur grill masters and side dish experts to come out and show their stuff. Winners of the backyard competition will receive a $500 prize.
Phillip Pratt, a Mississippi State student, is excited about the festival.
“I really love barbecue, and I love live music. I think the Roast-n-Boast is going to be hog wild,” Pratt said.