MURFREESBORO – Its roots can be traced to the start of a new century.

Now, 15 years later, the Roanoke-Chowan Pork Fest is still going strong.

The Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana will host the 15th annual Roanoke-Chowan Pork Fest on Saturday, May 14. While 100-plus-pound hogs will be grilled to perfection, then finely chopped, doused in Murfreesboro’s top secret barbecue sauce and served with all the traditional trimmings, the day features more than just lip-smacking pork BBQ plates.

A full day of entertainment will be provided on the outdoor stage with The Early Station Band, Potecasi Strings Band, Shiloh Grass Band of Boykins, VA, solo vocalist Carley Jo Rose, and the famous Eyes of Emiline – the vocal trio the King sisters Jessica, Mandy and Emily.

A Football Skills contest (punt pass and kick) and a Free Throw Shooting Contest will be conducted by the Chowan University football and basketball coaching staffs. These events will be open to boys and girls from age 6 thru 12. Registration for these events will be handled on site from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday during the festival. A parent must be present to co-sign with their youth. The contest will begin promptly at 12 noon.

The above events are free as well as many other venues for the enjoyment of the children under 12 such as face painting, fishing, tic-tac-toe game, carpet golf and a visit and photo opportunity with the Piggly Wiggly Pig.

All children under 12 years of age will be admitted to the festival free when accompanied by an adult and can participate in all events (the BBQ meal is extra).

The Pepsi Wagon will be on site serving hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches and soft drinks for a nominal charge. Delicious strawberry short cake is also available along with “take home” bulk BBQ.

The Jefcoat Museum will be open for tours by ticketed customers from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Children under 12 accompanied by their parent will be admitted without charge. The Jefcoat Museum has the largest display of any Museum in the state of North Carolina and contains over 17,000 items.

By 1 p.m. all the pigs will be cooked, judged and seasoned and it will be time for the BBQ meal to be served and enjoyed under the “Big Top.”

Last year, a record-setting 637 plates were served, according to to Brinson Paul of the Jefcoat Museum.

Charlie Meeks of Newport is the defending R-C Pork Fest cooking champion. His pig was hailed as the best by a trio of NC Pork Council judges at the 2015 event, one that drew 18 cooking teams.

Tickets for Saturday’s event are now on sale for only $15 which entitles the holder to the meal, museum tour, all day entertainment and venders of all types. Tickets can be purchased from the following business locations in Murfreesboro: Southern Bank, NAPA, DMV, Kings Coffee, N. C. State Employees Credit Union, the Historical Association, the Chamber of

Commerce, Jefcoat Museum and any Jefcoat volunteer. In Ahoskie tickets are available from Wholesale Cash and Carry. Tickets on the day of the event will be $20. Call 398-5653 for tickets or questions abut Pork-Fest.

The R-C Pork-Fest is an alcohol and drug –free event.