Thousands Flock to Downtown Kinston for 44th Annual Wil King Hog Happenin’ at BBQ Fest on the Neuse
The 44th Annual Wil King Hog Happenin’ at the BBQ Fest on the Neuse brought thousands to downtown Kinston, North Carolina, on May 2–3, 2025, for a celebration of whole hog barbecue, community spirit, and a shared passion for Eastern North Carolina’s culinary heritage.
This year’s festival featured a record-breaking number of cook teams, with over 100 participants from across the Southeast competing in backyard and professional divisions. The competition, sanctioned by the North Carolina Pork Council, culminated in the announcement of winners on Saturday afternoon.
2025 Wil King Hog Happenin’ Winners
Sauce Boss
Mark Copeland and Bill Perry of the Pocosin Boys, sponsored by Rice Monument, earned top honors in the Sauce Boss category, showcasing their signature blend of flavor and technique.
Natural Source
The same duo, Copeland and Perry, also secured first place in the Natural Source category, underscoring their mastery in traditional whole hog preparation.
Backyard Division
1st Place: Scottie McNamera of Little Doo Que, sponsored by Little Doo Mud Bog, impressed judges with his backyard barbecue skills.
2nd Place: Bodie Harper of Park Stars, backed by Dunn & Dalton Architects, showcased exceptional technique.
3rd Place: Chris Hatcher of Throwing Smoke, supported by Hobart/Down East Food Equipment Solutions, delivered a strong performance.
Professional Division
1st Place: Mark Copeland and Bill Perry of the Pocosin Boys, sponsored by Rice Monument, continued their winning streak with a standout showing.
2nd Place: Andy Harrison of Mr. Curly’s Que Crew, with support from State Farm, Judy Jones, Hardy, and Keith Thompson, demonstrated professional excellence.
3rd Place: Jason Baker of Baker Boys BBQ, sponsored by Sitterson & Whitfield, PA, delivered a commendable performance.
4th Place: Chris Fineran of Beach Boys BBQ, backed by Byrd’s, rounded out the top professional competitors.
Beyond the competition, the festival aimed to set a Guinness World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches sold in an eight-hour period. Attendees lined up at the Chop Tent to contribute to the tally, with official adjudicators from Guinness overseeing the attempt.
The BBQ Fest on the Neuse continues to be a cornerstone event in Kinston, celebrating the region’s rich barbecue traditions and community spirit.
Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.
We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.
