This year’s ’Que on the Yazoo is shaping up to be the biggest one yet.
“We’ve got 38 teams. We’ve about doubled the number of teams we’ve had,” said Brantley Snipes, executive director of Main Street Greenwood.
Forecasts call for clear skies with lows in the upper 40s tonight and daytime temperatures in the upper 70s Saturday.
The festival draws competitive cooking teams from all across the mid-South because it is a Memphis Barbecue Network event.
Snipes said she’s confident about the planned activities.
“We’re looking good. We’re ready to go,” she said.
Grills and barbecue trailers are being set up along Main Street.
Tonight’s activities include live music on Front Street from Anne Freeman & the Garbage Sons, beginning at 6 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m., the sauce and bean judging will begin. That will be followed by the Cathead Cocktail Contest and the Webster’s Catfish Contest at 7 p.m. All the judging will be done at the Viking Training Center at the corner of Front and Main streets.
At 7:30 p.m., musicians Jon and Angela Byrd will perform on Front Street.
The chicken contest judging will begin at 8:15.
At 9 p.m. music on Front Street will feature Mustache the Band.
On Saturday, the Whole Hog Motorcycle Ride will begin at 9:20 a.m.
Snipes said entries for the ride can still be purchased online at www.queontheyazoo.squarespace.com and also Saturday in the municipal parking lot behind Mississippi Gift Co., which serves as the starting point for the ride.
At 10 a.m., the pork loin and whole hog contest judging will take place.
Also at 10 a.m., the festival’s Beer Run will be held at the corner of Front and Fulton streets near Keesler Bridge.
At 11 a.m. the pork shoulder judging will take place. Musical entertainment will be provided by McKinney “Bluesman” Williams.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the People’s Choice competition will be conducted on Howard Street. Wristbands, which allow for samplings, a drink and sides, are available for $8.
At noon, the ribs contest entries will be judged.
At 1 p.m. Mississippi Marshal will perform and the Memphis Barbecue Network’s Grand Champion Finals will be announced.
At 2:30 p.m., the Kids’ Burger Contest will be judged.
Beginning at 3 p.m., musician Little Willie Farmer will perform. Also, the contest’s steak competition judging will take place.
At 3:30 the Kids’ Hog-Calling Contest will be held.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. the winners of the cooking categories will be announced.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
