More than 20 barbecue teams gather at the Mauldin Cultural Center for the annual SOOIE BBQ Cook-Off, a two-day festival built around barbecue, live music, and family activities.
Friday night gives the teams a chance to cook something other than their competition barbecue. Saturday is all about pulled pork, with South Carolina Barbeque Association judging and a People's Choice vote that lets festivalgoers pick a favorite of their own.
Admission, parking, live music, and the Kids Zone are free. You'll need taste tickets if you want to sample what the teams are cooking.
Friday Night: Anything Butt
The festival opens Friday at 6 p.m. with the Anything Butt competition. Every participating barbecue team prepares something other than its usual competition barbecue, so what you'll find can range from sliders and grilled chicken to vegetables, desserts, and whatever else the cooks decide to make.
Friday dishes cost 2 to 6 taste tickets, with each team setting its own price. A panel of guest judges chooses the Anything Butt winner, which is announced during Saturday's awards ceremony.
Taste tickets are sold in sheets of five for $5, and tickets bought Friday can also be used at Saturday's cook-off. Friday ticket sales stop at 8 p.m., and food is available only while supplies last.
Chris Taylor and The Rumor perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in the outdoor amphitheater.
Saturday: BBQ Cook-Off and People's Choice
Saturday's main event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Barbecue teams serve pulled pork while certified South Carolina Barbeque Association tasters judge the competition.
The public gets a say, too. One taste ticket buys one 2-ounce pulled pork sample, so you can work your way through the teams and vote for the one you think deserves the People's Choice Award.
Saturday ticket sales end at 1 p.m., with barbecue served only while supplies last. Competition winners are announced at 2:15 p.m.
Pickety Split provides Saturday's live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taste Tickets and Food
- Taste tickets: $5 for a sheet of five tickets
- Friday: Anything Butt dishes cost 2–6 tickets per serving
- Saturday: One ticket buys one 2-ounce pulled pork sample
- Unused Friday taste tickets may be used Saturday
- Non-competing food vendors may accept tickets, cash, or cards
- The alcohol vendor accepts cash or cards rather than event taste tickets
The organizer lists soft drinks and water at $1 and beer and wine at $4–6. Prices are subject to change, and taste tickets are non-refundable.
Kids Zone and More
The free Kids Zone is open both Friday and Saturday with face painting, balloon twisting, and inflatables. There's also a relaxation area with firepits and hammocks where you can settle in between barbecue samples and live music.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket if you plan to spend some time at the outdoor amphitheater.
What to Know Before You Go
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed.
- Food and beverage vendors will be on site.
- You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol. An ID and wristband are required, and wristbands are free at the ticket tents.
- Dogs are welcome on leash. Bring bags and clean up after your pet.
- Smoking and weapons are prohibited.
- Skateboards, scooters, hoverboards, and bicycles are not allowed.
Event Schedule
Friday
6 p.m. | Festival and Anything Butt competition open
6 p.m. | Kids Zone opens
6 p.m. | Chris Taylor and The Rumor
8 p.m. | Taste ticket sales end
9 p.m. | Festival closes
Saturday
11 a.m. | Festival and BBQ Cook-Off open
11 a.m. | Kids Zone opens
11 a.m. | Pickety Split
1 p.m. | Taste ticket sales end
2:15 p.m. | Winners announced
3 p.m. | Festival closes
Barbecue and Anything Butt dishes are served only while supplies last, so arriving well before the ticket-sale cutoff is a good idea if tasting is your main reason for going.
Parking Info
The festival takes place at the Outdoor Amphitheater behind the Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E. Butler Road, Mauldin, SC 29662. Parking is free.
Recommended parking areas include:
- Mauldin Cultural Center – 101 East Butler Road
- Mauldin City Hall – 5 East Butler Road
- Mauldin Sports Center – 10 City Center Drive
- Mauldin Methodist Church – 100 East Butler Road (Friday only)
Event Details
Date and Time
- Start
- September 10, 2027
- End
- September 11, 2027
- Cost
- Free
- Event Categories
- Competition, Festival
- Website
- mauldinbbq.com
Organizer
- Name
- Gina McAtee
- Phone
- (864) 449-1433
