October 3 All day
BBQ Cook-Off for a Cause
The Hopeful Hog BBQ Cook-Off for a Cause brings barbecue, live music, family activities, craft beer, and foster and adoption support together at Benford Brewing
The Hopeful Hog BBQ Cook-Off for a Cause is a barbecue fundraiser hosted by Village & Vessel Ministries at Benford Brewing & Farm Life in Lancaster. The event pairs a barbecue cook-off with live music, a kid zone, craft beer, and a day at the brewery’s farm setting. Village & Vessel’s event page lists the festival at Benford Brewing with a BBQ cookout judged by the South Carolina BBQ Association, live music, a kid zone, and beer.
Barbecue fans can expect samples from participating cook teams, while families can enjoy children’s activities such as bubbles, face painting, balloon art, and dance activities based on the public event copy you provided. The setting at Benford Brewing adds a relaxed farm-and-brewery backdrop for the fundraiser.
The event supports Village & Vessel Ministries, a nonprofit that provides financial grants to adoptive and foster families in the Carolinas. Its mission is to help reduce the financial barriers that can come with foster care and adoption.
Cook teams interested in competing should use the official cooker packet for current deadlines, entry details, and requirements. The organizer’s application page says participation is limited to the first 10 teams and lists Sharon Barfield as the contact for application questions.
Event details
Event: The Hopeful Hog BBQ Cook-Off for a Cause
Also listed as: The Hopeful Hog Festival
Date: October 3
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Location: Benford Brewing & Farm Life
Address: 2271 Boxcar Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Host: Village & Vessel Ministries
Barbecue judging: South Carolina BBQ Association / SCBA
Activities: BBQ samples, live music, kid zone, craft beer, and family activities
Good to know
This is a public fundraiser with barbecue, children’s activities, and adult-focused offerings at Benford Brewing. Guests should check the organizer’s latest updates for ticket details, parking, food availability, age requirements for certain activities, and day-of changes.

