MURFREESBORO – The great debate continues.

Ever since the discovery that precisely cooked pork, pulled from the bone, finely chopped and then seasoned just right with a blend of secret ingredients, produces barbecue, there has been an ongoing debate over which chef prepares the best swine.

Area citizens and guests from all over northeastern North Carolina and southside Virginia can continue that debate when they converge on Murfreesboro on Saturday, May 17 to witness the greatest spectacle in the entire “barbecue kingdom” n the seventh annual Roanoke-Chowan Pork Fest.

Set once again on the grounds of the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana, located on High Street, this year’s Pork Fest features a line-up of 20 award-winning barbecue chefs, each vying for the first place trophy. That means the real winner will be those in attendance as they will benefit by consuming the best pork barbecue known to man.

Advance tickets for this event always sell fast so place your order today. They are priced at $15 per person and are available in Murfreesboro at the Blue Front Shoppe, NAPA, the NC License Bureau, the Historical Association Office (at the Roberts-Vaughan House), the Commons on Main Street and at the Jefcoat Museum on weekends.

Other ticket locations include Wholesale Cash and Carry in Ahoskie, Woodland Supermarket in Woodland, Marshall Askew in Winton, The Nottaway House in Courtland, Va., Steve Ivey in Zuni, Va. or any Jefcoat Museum volunteer.

Any tickets that remain will be sold for $20 each on a first-come, first serve basis on the day of the event. Please keep in mind that the previous half-dozen Pork Fests have been complete sell-outs.

“Teams who are competing this year are some of the best in the state and you will be sure to agree once you have savored our roasted swine,” Jimmy Gray, chairman of the Pork Fest, said.

Gray added that past winners of the R-C Pork Fest have moved on to become the North Carolina champion in the annual State Cook-Off.

Once all that pork has been cooked and judged, local volunteers will finely chop the meat to which Murfreesboro’s secret sauce will be added. Then, and only then, can ticket holders hit the serving line (1-3 p.m.). Along with the barbecue, those in attendance can enjoy seasoned potatoes, coleslaw, hot (on-site cooked) hushpuppies and plenty of “Aunt Bertie’s” ice tea.

There’s more for the price of admission other than barbecue. Scheduled are a display of antique automobiles, craft vendors, tours of the famous Jefcoat Museum and plenty of live entertainment. There are even plenty of things for children to do.

Ticket holders are invited to come early (starting at 8:30 a.m.) and take a stroll down “pork alley” where they can observe the teams cooking their pigs, smell the aroma and enjoy the beautifully decorated cooking sites.

For convenience, advance tickets can also be purchased by mail. Advise of the number of tickets needed (at $15 each), make the check payable to Pork Fest, enclosed a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail to 512 Woodridge Drive, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855.

As is tradition, Pork Fest is a drug and alcohol-free event so plan to bring the entire family to Murfreesboro on May 17 to enjoy a day filled with food, fun and wholesome fellowship.

All proceeds benefit the Jefcoat Museum.