Chester County BBQ Festival

The Chester County BBQ Festival continues to be an annual tradition since 1978. The festival is held each year on the fourth weekend of September. It features BBQ, live entertainment, fried treats, children’s activities, and vendors. The festival is the Henderson|Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s largest fundraising event and is made possible by a volunteer committee. There is no admission fee. All events center around the Chester County Courthouse lawn in downtown Henderson. This year we will be hosting the 3rd Annual Tennessee State Hog Callin’ Championship!

BBQ Festival Hours:

Friday: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Watch the 2023 Recap

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- BBQ Festival Sponsorship Luncheon
  - Henderson Church of Christ at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon for Event Sponsors
Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Miss BBQ Festival Pageant
  - First Methodist Church, 10:00a.m.- Registration starts at 9:00a.m.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
- Chester County BBQ Festival Kickoff Event
  - Henderson Church of Christ Parking Lot, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Join first responders for a touch a truck, local civic and church groups providing games, snacks, snow cones, and much more! Inflatables provided by Dandy Jumper
Friday, September 26, 2025
- 47th Annual Chester County BBQ Festival presented by Centennial Bank
  - Downtown Henderson from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm.
- The Piglet Pen sponsored by Christ Community Church & First Farmers Co-op
  - Courthouse Lawn. Fun and games for the little ones ages 0-5 yrs. All Day. FREE.
- Gameday Tailgate Zone sponsored by Besso's and Quality Metal Stamping
  - Behind the Courthouse. Join us for a shady area to sit, relax, and enjoy a football game while you eat. All Day. FREE.
- Entertainment at the E&T Contracting Stage
  - Courthouse Lawn. 1:30 am - 7:00 pm. Stop by throughout the day to watch some entertainment featuring some of our best local and regional entertainers. FREE EVENT.
- Little Pig Town Ride Area
  - Behind the County Office Building. 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. Bring the kids to enjoy the rides. Ticket purchase required.
- Opening Ceremony at the E& T Contracting
  - 12:45 pm. National Anthem. FHU Chorale. Opening remarks. FREE
- Foam-town Frenzy sponsored by Casey Realtors
  - In front of City Hall Building on Crook Ave. 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and Glow Party immediately following the Talent Show. Come enjoy some fun in the foam! FREE EVENT.
- Talent Show sponsored by E&T Contracting
  - E&T Contracting stage at 7:00 pm. Registration starts at 6:30 pm. $25 entry fee. Youth and adult categories. $250 first place cash prize.
Saturday, September 27, 2025
- 47th Annual Chester County BBQ Festival presented by Centennial Bank
  - Downtown Henderson from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.
- "Spoon's" Antique Tractor Show sponsored by First Farmers Co-op and Cherry and Son Sales
  - Main Street in front of the Old Main Bldg. Registration from 7:00 am - 8:30 am. Show from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. $10 entry fee. Trophies Awarded. In memory of Mike "Spoon" Spratlin.
- Pig Trot 5k/1-Mile sponsored by FirstBank
  - No Xcuse Fitness. 5k, $25. 1 Mile, $20. Registration at 7:15 am. Race begins at 8:00 am.
- BBQ Buddies Wagon Train Parade sponsored by Noah's Ark Preschool
  - 9:00 am. Meet at Sue Shelton White Park. Registration and Check In at 8:30 am. Decorate your pullable wagon for a Main Street parade! Trophy Awarded. FREE EVENT
- Little Pig Town Ride Area
  - Behind the County Office Bldg. from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy the rides.
- The Piglet Pen presented by Christ Community Church & First Farmers Co-op
  - Courthouse Lawn. Fun and games for the little ones ages 0-5 yrs. All Day. FREE.
- Gameday Tailgate Zone sponsored by Besso's and Quality Metal Stamping
  - Behind the Courthouse. Join us for a shady area to sit, relax, and enjoy a football game while you eat. All Day. FREE.
- Entertainment at the E&T Contracting Stage
  - 9:30 am - 9:30 pm. Stop by throughout the day to watch some entertainment featuring some of our best local and regional entertainers. FREE EVENT.
- Oink N' Doink Dunkin' Booth sponsored by Henderson Health and Rehabilitation
  - Corner of Main Street and Cason Ave. from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. $5/3 Balls. Come dunk your favorite local "celebrities."
- Porky's Pedal Tractor Pull sponsored by Southern Oaks Assisted Living
  - Corner of Main Street and Crook Ave. 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm. $5 entry fee. Kids 7 and under. Pull a sled with pedal power.
- Charger's Mutt Strut Pet Parade
  - E&T Contracting Stage at 12:30 pm. Registration starts at 12:15 pm. Bring your pets to strut their stuff! FREE EVENT.
- 3rd Annual Tennessee State Hog Callin' Championship sponsored by TN Pork Producers and Tosh Farms
  - E&T Contracting Stage. 1:00 pm. 18 years and up. $10 entry fee. 1st prize $500 + 2nd prize $250.
- Character Meet and Greet sponsored by Southern Chic Spatique
  - Henderson City Hall(Upstairs) 2:30pm-3:30pm. FREE. Wear your favorite gown and crown or superhero costume for some fun with the Princesses and the Superheroes.
- Swine n’ Shine Car Show sponsored by Quality Bodyworks
  - Front Street parking lot from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Come and bring your best cars, trucks, jeeps, atvs, or motorcycles. $10 entry fee. Prizes Awrded.
- Hog Wild Cornhole Tournament sponsored by Blue Steel
  - Main Street and Sue Shelton White Park. Registration at 5:00 pm. Bags Fly at 6:00 pm. $10 entry fee.
- Foam-town Frenzy sponsored by Casey Realtors
  - In front of City Hall Building on Crook Ave. 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and Glow Party at 9:00 pm. Come enjoy some fun in the foam! FREE EVENT.
- Music with Tim Young and the Goodtime Band
  - E&T Contracting Stage from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. FREE EVENT.
- Street Dancing
  - Dancing on Crook Ave. 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. FREE EVENT.

Friday September 26, 2025
- 10:00 a.m.
  
  Music
- 12:45 p.m.
  
  Open Ceremony. FHU Chorale
- 1:30 p.m.
  
  Local Talent
- 1:55 p.m.
  
  Irene Rinks
- 2:00 p.m.
  
  Hudson Lewis
- 2:30 p.m.
  
  Mike McCutchen and Jerry Lowe
- 3:00 p.m.
  
  Trace Beaver
- 3:30 p.m.
  
  CCHS & CCJHS Chorus
- 4:15 p.m.
  
  CCHS Band
- 5:15 p.m.
  
  BBQ Royalty Introduction
- 5:30 p.m.
  
  FHU Jazz Band
- 6:30 p.m.
  
  Kameron Presnull
- 7:00 p.m.
  
  Blake Hopper and the TN Tradition
- 8:00 p.m.
  
  Chester County BBQ Festival Youth Talent Competition
Saturday September 27, 2025
- 9:00 a.m.
  
  BBQ Buddies Wagon Train Parade
- 9:30 a.m.
  
  Kimberlie Helton's School of Voice
- 11:30 a.m.
  
  Music
- 11:30 a.m.
  
  Porky's Pedal Tractor Pull
- 12:15 p.m.
  
  Cheer Squad
- 12:30 p.m.
  
  Chargers Mutt Strut
- 1:00 p.m.
  
  Tn State Championship Hog Callin' Contest
- 2:00 p.m.
  
  Four Doc's and a Jock
- 3:00 p.m.
  
  Hunt Pipkin
- 3:30 p.m.
  
  Lakelin Lemmings
- 4:00 p.m.
  
  Portia Bradshaw
- 4:30 p.m.
  
  Dillon Young and Hotgrass
- 5:00 p.m.
  
  Cadence Weaver
- 5:30 p.m.
  
  Lil Johnnie Williams
- 6:00 p.m.
  
  Supper Break & Band Setup
- 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
  
  Chester County BBQ Festival Adult Talent Show
- 7:30-9:30 p.m.
  
  Tim Young and the Goodtime Band
- 7:30-9:30 p.m.
  
  Street Dancing