The Jackson Hook & Cook Festival brings two days of barbecue, fishing, live music, vendors, and family activities to the Jackson Community Center in Aiken County.
Friday is the festival's opening night, while Saturday brings the South Carolina Barbeque Association-sanctioned cook-off, along with the fishing tournament, car show, and a full day of activity around the Community Center.
Friday Night at Hook & Cook
Friday runs from 4 to 9 p.m., with food trucks, craft and commercial vendors, and live music around the Jackson Community Center.
Live music begins at 5 p.m.. Meanwhile, the barbecue teams are getting settled in and preparing for the overnight cook, but there are no competition turn-ins Friday night.
Saturday: Barbecue, Fishing, and Cars
Saturday's festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes the BBQ cook-off, fishing tournament, car show, vendors, live entertainment, and family activities.
The fishing tournament remains part of the Hook side of the weekend, while the barbecue competition supplies the Cook. Current festival information also calls for a car show and plenty going on around the Community Center throughout the day.
The BBQ Cook-Off
Cook teams compete in pork butt and ribs, with certified South Carolina Barbeque Association judges handling the official scoring.
Pork butt judging begins at 10 a.m., followed by ribs at 11 a.m.. Winners are announced at 1 p.m.
The barbecue isn't just for the judges. The Town keeps the competition pork and begins selling it to the public at 11 a.m., with sales continuing while supplies last.
If eating barbecue is your main reason for going, arriving around lunchtime rather than late in the afternoon is the safer bet. Current 2026 information confirms the 11 a.m. start for barbecue sales but does not yet list public prices.
More Than the Cook-Off
Hook & Cook is a town festival as much as a barbecue contest. Food trucks and craft vendors are part of both days, with live entertainment and other activities filling out the weekend.
The mix of barbecue and fishing gives the festival its name, but you don't have to enter either competition to spend the day in Jackson and enjoy what's going on.
What to Know Before You Go
- Friday: 4–9 p.m.
- Friday live music: Begins at 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- BBQ judging: Pork butt at 10 a.m.; ribs at 11 a.m.
- Public barbecue sales: Begin at 11 a.m. and continue while supplies last
- BBQ awards: 1 p.m.
- Location: Jackson Community Center, 104 Main St., Jackson, SC 29831
Event Organizer
Organizer
- Name
- Jordan Willingham
- Phone
- 803-646-0875
Event Location
Jackson Community Center
104 Main St.Jackson, SC 29831
United States
