AHOSKIE – The rigs will begin to slowly make their way onto the grounds of the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex at around 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

Some may not even notice as they enjoy the music on the opening night of the annual Ahoskie Heritage Festival. Soon after the arrival of these swine chefs, tents will be erected; coolers, chairs, tables, and various items will be unpacked. And then the professionals will go to work, getting the most important piece of equipment ready to go, the cooker that will grill the king of meats, the best of all things southern, the whole hog that will be slow roasted to perfection all night long by skilled and seasoned BBQ chefs from across North Carolina. This is the beginning of the 9th Annual Ahoskie Public Library Backyard BBQ Cook-off.

By early Saturday morning (Sept. 10), those competing teams will be putting the finishing touches on succulent slow roasted pigs, readying them to be judged by a team representing the North Carolina Pork Council. Judging will begin at 9 a.m. and the winners will be announced at 11:30 on the Ahoskie Amphitheater stage. The first place winner will pocket a $1,000 check.

Then the feast begins…all that wonderful whole hog BBQ will be chopped and served to hungry festival goers beginning at 11:30 am. There will be plates, and bulk BBQ available as well as BBQ sandwiches. Plates will include slaw, potatoes and bread or hushpuppies for $10 each. Bulk BBQ will also be $10. Sandwiches with or without slaw are $4 each or two for $7.

All this delicious food is for a great cause as the BBQ Cook-off supports the Ahoskie Library Building Fund.

Over the past few months, the Ahoskie Library Board of Trustees, library staff, Ahoskie Town Manager and Ahoskie Town Council members have been hard at work with the architects of Oakley and Collier designing the new Ahoskie Public Library that will be located beside Southern Bank and Trust Company, thanks to their generous gift of the property.

To help sponsor the event, buy tickets, register to cook, or donate to the building fund, contact the Ahoskie Public Library at 252-332-5500.