Barbecue Festival returns to Lexington Saturday

The North Carolina Barbecue Festival returns to Lexington Saturday after a two-year COVID-19-related hiatus.

The 2020 barbecue festival was canceled during the first wave of the pandemic. Last year’s festival was called off the month prior to the planned return amid supply-chain issues and difficulties finding workers for the event.

Lexington officials also said then that the free-flowing nature of the outdoor event made it hard to keep attendees safe. 

NC By Train is offering a one-day stop for visitors between Charlotte and Raleigh. Trains will make a total of eight stops at the Lexington Hospitality Center near the festival.

This year has seen some changes in the barbecue restaurants in the Lexington area, with at least three locations shutting down for various reasons and another one moving as a result of a road-widening project.

A survey conducted after the 2013 festival found that the event provided a $9 million economic impact.