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 1st 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 19, 2023
- BBQ Festival Sponsorship Luncheon
  - Henderson Church of Christ at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon for Event Sponsors
Thursday, September 21, 2023
- Touch-a-Truck and First Responders Appreciation sponsored by Jones Contractors
  - Henderson Church of Christ parking lot. 6:00 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy a hands-on event with Emergency and Utility Vehicles. FREE EVENT
Friday, September 22, 2023
- 45th Annual Chester County BBQ Festival presented by Centennial Bank
  - Downtown Henderson from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm.
- Little Pig Town Ride Area
  - Behind the County Office Bldg. from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy the rides.
- The Piglet Pen presented by Henderson Assembly of God
  - Courthouse Lawn. Fun and games for the little ones ages 0-5yrs.All Day
- Entertainment at the E&T Contracting Stage
  - 11:30 am - 7:00 pm. Stop by throughout the day to watch some entertainment featuring some of our best local and regional entertainers. FREE EVENT.
- Opening Ceremony
  - E & T Contracting Stage. 12:45 p.m. Tennessee State Hog Callin’ Championship Proclamation. Rep. Kirk Haston and local officials. FHU Chorale.
- Notorious P.I.G Talent Competition sponsored by E & T Contracting
  - E & T Contracting Stage at 7:00 p.m. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. $25 Entry Fee. Youth and Adult categories. $250 First Place Cash Prize
Saturday, September 23, 2023
- 45th Annual Chester County BBQ Festival presented by Centennial Bank
  - Downtown Henderson from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.
- Rise n’ Swine Community Breakfast sponsored by CC Lions Club and Besso’s Coffee
  - Henderson Church of Christ from 7:00 am - 10:00 am. $12/plate - tenderloin, biscuits, gravy, eggs, fruit, coffee, and juice.
- Pig Trot 5k/1-Mile sponsored by FirstBank
  - No Xcuse Fitness. Registration at 7:15 am. Race begins at 8:00 am.
- “Spoon’s” Antique Tractor Show sponsored by First Farmers CO-OP and Cherry & Sons Sales
  - Main Street in front of the Old Main Bldg. Registration from 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Show from 9:00a.m.- 3:00 p.m. $10 entry fee. Trophies Awarded. In memory of Mike “Spoon” Spratlin
- 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 Henderson Assembly of God
  - Courthouse Lawn. Fun and games for the little ones ages 0-5yrs .All Day
- Entertainment at the E & T Contracting Stage
  - Courthouse Lawn. 11:00 a.m.-7:00p.m. Stop by throughout the day to watch some entertainment featuring some of our best local and regional entertainers. FREE
- Miss BBQ Festival Pageant
  - E&T Contracting Stage. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 0-11 yrs.
- Oink N’ Doink Dunkin’ Booth sponsored by Henderson Health and Rehabilitation
  - Corner of Main Street and Cason Ave. from 10:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m. $5/3 Balls. Come dunk your favorite local “celebrities.”
- Porky’s Pedal Tractor Pull sponsored by Noah’s Ark Preschool
  - Corner of Main Street and Crook Ave. 1:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. $5 entry fee. Kids 6 and under. Pull a weighted sled with pedal power.
- Charger’s Mutt Strut Pet Parade
  - E&T Contracting stage at 1:45 pm. Registration begins at 1:00 pm. Bring your pets to strut their stuff! FREE EVENT.
- Princess Tea and Hero Hangout sponsored by Southern Chic Spatique
  - Sue Shelton White Park from 1:45 p.m. -2:45 p.m. $5 entry fee . Wear your favorite gown and crown or superhero costume for some fun with the Princesses and the Superheroes.
- 1st Annual Tennessee State Hog Callin’ Championship sponsored by TN Pork Producers and Tosh Farms
  - E&T Contracting Stage. 2:45 p.m. 18 years and up. $10 entry fee. $1,000 1st prize, $500 2nd prize. Show us your best Hog Call for a side splittin' good time. Judged on originality, presentation, and creativity.
- Gameday Tailgate Zone sponsored by Quality Metal Stamping and Besso’s
  - Behind the Courthouse. Join us for a shady area to sit, relax, and enjoy a football game while you eat. All Day
- Piglet’s Splash, Dash, and Roll sponsored by Keestone Academy
  - Front Street, Henderson. 3:00 p.m. Bring the kids out for a fun obstacle course where they can splash, dash, and roll. FREE EVENT
- Swine n’ Shine Car Show sponsored by CPP ATV Repair
  - Front Street parking lot from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Come and bring your best cars, trucks, jeeps, or motorcycles. $10 entry fee. Prizes Awarded
- Hog Wild Corn Hole Tournament sponsored by Three C’s (Cookies for Cancer) hosted by County Line Cornhole
  - Main Street and Sue Shelton White Park. Registration at 5:00 p.m. Bags fly at 6:00 p.m. $10 entry fee. Cash Prizes
- Street Dancing with the Goodtime/Hotwire band
  - E&T Contracting Stage. Line Dancing on Crook Ave.

E&T Contracting Main Stage : Friday Sept. 22, 2023
- 11:30
  
  Lakelin Lemmings & Hunt Pipkin
- 12:45
  
  Opening Ceremony, Proclamation by Rep. Haston, FHU Chorale
- 1:30
  
  Mike McCutcheon & Jerry Lowe
- 2:00
  
  Kameron Presnull
- 2:30
  
  Just Deon
- 3:00
  
  CCHS & CCJHS Chorus
- 3:30
  
  Kimberlie Helton's School of Voice
- 5:00
  
  Cadence Weaver
- 5:30
  
  Daniel McClain
- 6:00
  
  Blake Hopper and the Tennessee Tradition
- 7:00
  
  Notorious P.I.G. Talent Competition (3hrs.)
E&T Contracting Main Stage : Saturday Sept. 23, 2023
- 9:00
  
  Kimberlie Helton's School of Voice
- 11:00
  
  Miss BBQ Festival Pageant
- 1:00
  
  Porky's Pedal Tractor Pull
- 1:30
  
  Charger's Mutt Strut Parade
- 1:45
  
  Four Docs and a Jock
- 2:45
  
  TN State Hog Callin' Championship
- 3:30
  
  Ben Clayton
- 3:45
  
  CCHS Cheer Squad
- 4:00
  
  American Hope Band
- 5:00
  
  Karley Heinsohn & Cedence Weaver
- 5:30
  
  Cadence Weaver
- 6:00
  
  FHU Jazz Band
- 6:30
  
  Lakelin Lemmings & Hunt Pipkin
- 7:30
  
  Goodtime/Hot Wire Band with Street Line Dancing