Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
The Smokin' Sistas was one of the local teams to compete. The team is comprised of three Barnwell sisters (Janet Hamel, Julie Lackey, and Lynn Little).
The cornhole tournament attracted people from all over to the Barnwell festival.
Bamberg's own Warren Peay, a Top 8 finalist on American Idol, performs at the 2023 BBQ, Blues, & Boos.
Festival goers sit in chairs (above) to enjoy the live entertainment from artists.
Country artist Cody Webb, a native of South Carolina, talks with Emmaline Huber and Mary Chilton Alexander after performing at the BBQ, Blues & Boos Festival.
Linda and John Strocky sample BBQ from the teams.
Aisha Kenyetta and her band, which includes Barnwell's Ed Lemon Jr., perform at the BBQ, Blues & Boos.
The second annual BBQ, Blues, & Boos festival brought nearly 700 people to Barnwell County, driving regional tourism. Ten percent of those in attendance traveled 30 miles or more to attend.
Held by the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce & Foundation, the two-day event showcased 17 cook teams and six bands.
The $22,000 was spent by the festival directly within the local economy. $9,600 went to musicians, $7,500 went to culinary artists, and $8,000 raised for work at the chamber to support local entrepreneurship. Sixty-three free tickets were given to local teachers.
“Event organizer and host Bob Snead once again conjured an amazing event while SCBA Marshals Glenn and Steve kept an eye on the supernatural happenings in the judge's chamber,” said the S.C. Barbeque Association (SCBA).
The first day of food at the festival was Anything But Butts, where cook teams could make anything but pork to be judged by community members. Coming in first was Blazin’ Bullets (Ken Hilliard), second was Sadie Beth Barbeque Company (Gage Blue), and third was Tail-Gater Hater (Phillip Miles).
At Saturday’s BBQ Butts competition, Sadie Beth Barbeque Company came in first, Casual Smokers (Jaime Mintz) came in second, and High on the Hog (Matt Talbot) came in third. In the ribs category, Casual Smokers came in first, Tail-Gator Hater came in second, and Slinging Meat (David Smith) placed third.
Jerome Furnace’s What A Pit BBQ won the amateur division and Janet Hamel and the Smokin’ Sistas won the local division. The People’s Choice winner was What A Pit BBQ and the winner for Halloween decor was Men at Work (Brian Roach).
The festival was a local affair - Aiken Barnwell Beverage Company, Inc. and Westbrook Brewing Company provided the adult beverages, TNT Printwear Screenprinting & Embroidery made the T-shirts and hats, and Tri-County Pallet provided sound equipment, tables, and chairs.
The event was sponsored by numerous community organizations and businesses: SRP Federal Credit Union, Remain At Home Health Care, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Barnwell County Economic Development Commission, CNT Outdoors, Collum’s Lumber Products, LLC., UniTech Services Group, Inc., William A. Keel State Farm Agent, TNT Printwear Screenprinting & Embroidery, The Lofts on Burr, Alexander & Alexander Attorneys at Law, Breezeline, Pender’s Disposal Service, Play Mode Media, Low Country Health Care System, Swiss Krono USA, McCain Atkinson Insurance, Southeastern Insurance Consultants, LLC., The People-Sentinel, B&B Ford, Winton Inn & Suites, Westbrook Brewing Company, Bud Light, and Generations Unlimited.
