Project Host BBQ Cook-Off & Festival (SCBA)

Smokin' at Fluor Field

Project Host's annual BBQ Cook-Off & Festival brings two days of barbecue, live music, and family activities to Fluor Field at the West End in Greenville.

Friday night is built around the Anything Butt competition, when cook teams step outside traditional barbecue and serve up appetizers, sides, desserts, and other creations. Saturday turns to pork, with teams competing in a South Carolina Barbeque Association-sanctioned cook-off while serving samples to festivalgoers.

Admission is free both days. Festival tickets are sold at the gate for food, drinks, and some Kids Zone activities, with proceeds helping support Project Host's work in the Greenville community.

Friday: Anything Butt

Friday runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Cook teams take a break from competition pork for the Anything Butt Contest, preparing sweet or savory dishes for judging by a selected group of local judges.

It's also a chance to meet the cook teams, sample what they're making, and watch as they begin preparing for Saturday's barbecue competition.

Possum provides Friday night's live music, and the Kids Zone is open during the festival.

Saturday: BBQ Cook-Off

Saturday's cook-off runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teams serve samples of their pork barbecue to festival guests while certified South Carolina Barbeque Association judges score the competition entries.

If barbecue tasting is your main reason for coming, don't wait until the end of the afternoon. The awards ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m., and popular teams can run out of samples before the festival closes.

Rad Dad The Band performs Saturday, and the Kids Zone is open again for families.

Tasting Tickets and Food

There's no charge to enter the festival. If you want to eat, drink, or use some of the paid activities, festival tickets are sold at the gate for $2 each. There are no advance ticket sales.

• 2 tickets: One BBQ sample
• 2 tickets: Water or soda
• 3–4 tickets: Alcoholic beverages

Project Host's HostMobile food truck will also be on site selling food and snacks.

Live Music and Kids Zone

Along with the barbecue, both days include live music and a Kids Zone. Children's activities include a bounce house, inflatable games, and playground, with both free and paid options available.

For a Good Cause

The cook-off is one of Project Host's annual fundraisers. The Greenville nonprofit has been using food to serve the community since 1981.

Its programs include the Soup Kitchen and Cooking for Kids, along with the CC Pearce Culinary School, which provides training for people looking to build skills and move into employment. Project Host also operates the HostMobile food truck and Bakery as social enterprises.

Money raised through the festival helps Project Host continue those programs.

Parking and What to Know

Free festival parking is available at Greenville Senior High School, across the street from District 356. The lot opens at 6 p.m. Friday and is available through 2 p.m. Saturday.

Don't leave your vehicle there after the festival parking period ends; the school may tow vehicles left in the lot after 2 p.m. Saturday. Paid garages and lots are also available around downtown Greenville.

The festival is held rain or shine, with no alternate rain date. Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds.

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