In photos: 2016 Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival

GRAND CHAMPIONS: The title of 2016 Grand Champion of the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival went to Brickhead BBQ, led by pitmaster Joe Loth of Linn Creek, Mo. Photo by John Mallow

The Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival celebrated its 23rd year June 10-11 in Tryon with visitors from North Carolina and beyond coming together to enjoy cold brews, ‘cue and live music. More than 60 barbecue teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee were on hand to compete in categories including Pork, Brisket, Chicken, Whole Hog and Dessert.

The 2016 Grand Champion title went to Joe and Lori Loth of Linn Creek, Mo.’s Brickhead BBQ. Brickhead normally competes in the Missouri area, and this was the team’s first time participating at the Tryon event, according to a festival press release. The team did well in all four categories, earning second place honors in Ribs and Pork, a fourth in Brisket and a seventh in Chicken.

Hambones by the Fire, led by Rick Hamilton of Yorktown, Virginia, took second place overall and was named Reserve Grand Champion. Defending champion Rocky Top, led by Walt Moulton of Jonesborough, Tenn., finished third.

Fired Up Smokers, led by Fred Woodard of Fremont, N.C., was the highest-scoring North Carolina team, earning it the North Carolina State Champion title and Governor’s Cup trophy. The team finished seventh overall. 

A classic car show Saturday showcased cars from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. The usual suspects, such as Chevrolet Novas and Chevelles and Ford Mustangs, were numerous, but German makes, including Porsche and Volkswagen, had a few representatives as well.

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About John Mallow
John Mallow is a senior mass communication student and Editor-in-chief of The Blue Banner at UNC Asheville. He enjoys running, mountain biking, ska and punk music, pizza and beer. He also wrote this bio himself, in the third person. Follow me @jmallowjr

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