Don't miss out on 2023 Cookin' & Campin' BBQ Cook-Off in Summerton on Saturday

SUMMERTON - The smell of good ol' Southern barbecue will be wafting along the shores of Lake Marion when 18 competitive barbecue teams converge on Palmetto Shores RV Resort for the 2023 Cookin' & Campin' BBQ Cook-Off.

"The barbecue teams with their cookers rolled into the resort (Thursday)," said Amanda McGovern, owner and manager of Palmetto Shores RV Resort, 5215 Dingle Pond Road off Interstate 95 at exit 102. "They started setting up (Thursday), and they'll start cooking their Boston butts on Friday."

McGovern said the teams will cook their barbecue throughout the night, and the judging will be held on Saturday morning.

Eighteen teams entered the competition that is sanctioned by the South Carolina Barbecue Association.

McGovern said teams from Columbia, Hartsville, Mount Pleasant, Central, Scranton, Conway, Lyman, Florence, Hanahan and other locals have entered the competition.

"We also have a Sumter team competing," McGovern added. "The Big Butts BBQ Gang are here. Their chief cook is Dennie Somhel."

The top three winners get to walk away with cash prizes when the award ceremony is held at 2 p.m. The first-place winner earns $1,500 in cash, a trophy and free entry into next year's competition. The second-place winner receives $1,000 in cash and a trophy, while the third-place winner walks away with $800 in cash and a trophy.

The cook-off is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with free admission. When entering the gate, guests will receive a general admission wristband and a map of the event.

McGovern said the pitmasters will be using a variety of barbecue sauces in the competition.

"We asked them in the registration form what sauces they'll be using," she said. "The answers ranged from 'delicious' to 'sweet vinegar,' 'hickory' and various tomato-based sauces. We know it will all be delicious."

People can purchase tickets for $1 each, which will include one 2-ounce sample cup to sample the competitors' barbecue. People can buy as many $1 tickets as they wish. Visitors can also enjoy barbecue sandwiches for $5 each, sandwich meals for $8 and barbecue by the pint for $10. People also get to choose which pitmaster's barbecue they want for their sandwiches and to take home.

Bad Water, a Sumter band, will be entertaining the crowd from noon until 2 p.m. Longhorn cattle will also be on site for adults and children to feed and pet.

McGovern said that a regular guest at the resort gave her the idea for the event.

"Frank Watts, one of the state marshals and a certified barbecue judge with the South Carolina Barbecue Association, told me he thought a cook-off would be a great idea for this area," she added. "I agreed, and here we are."

McGovern said she plans on making the Cookin' & Campin' BBQ Cook-Off an annual event.

"We're going to have a great time," she said. "Great barbecue and people get to meet and talk to the pitmasters. It's going to be great."