High on the Hog Brings Backyard Champions: Carnival and Barbeque Showdown See 38th Year
- Terri Carter
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The countdown finally reached its end last week as one of the most anticipated events of the year made its Franklin County appearance. The annual High on the Hog carnival brought the community together for a week packed with excitement, competition, and unforgettable memories. From sizzling grills firing up for the backyard barbecue showdown to the thrill of a hog giveaway, there was no shortage of fun. Families and friends enjoyed heart-pounding rides, classic carnival games, and delicious food that satisfies every craving.
But the festivities started even earlier with a lively pre-game event featuring a high-stakes poker run, a stunning car show, a disc golf tournament, live music, a hamburger-eating contest, and a fiercely competitive cornhole tournament.
Aside from the rides and legendary carnival food, one major highlight of the event is the Backyard Barbeque Showdown. Cooking and concocting their way through the competition, backyard barbeque experts travel far and wide to make their entries and put their best food forward. The showdown features various categories that include best tacos, best sliders, best backyard pork, best dessert, best backyard chicken, best backyard ribs, and the coveted first and second place titles of the Grand Champion.
This year, along with the Kiwanis Club, Winchester Mayor Sean Crabtree made an appearance to help distribute the awards to the winners which were announced last Saturday at 4:00.
Kicking off the awards was the announcement of Best Tacos. First place was awarded to Pig Bossman BBQ, second place went to FOCAS Smokas and third place was awarded to The Red Goose. Coming in fourth place was I Only Smoke the Good Stuff. Fifth place was awarded to Hell on Squeals and sixth place went to Rollin’ Smoke BBQ. Seventh place was Holy Smokin’, eighth place was Smokey Bees BBQ, ninth place went to Deviant Smoke and tenth place was awarded to Algood BBQ and Catering.
The second category awarded was for best sliders. First place was awarded to The Red Goose. Second place was awarded to LEELA Q. And third place was awarded to Pig Bossman BBQ. Fourth place went to Toolshed BBQ, fifth place went to Hell on Squeals, and sixth place went to Black Label Smokers. Seventh place was awarded to Cluckin’ Crazy BBQ. Eighth place went to FOCAS Smokas and ninth place went to Burnt Plow BBQ. Coming in at tenth place was Electro-Que-Ted.
Next up was Best Backyard Pork. Coming in first was Puddlebuck BBQ. Second place was awarded to Cluckin’ Crazy BBQ and third place went to Smoke Bees BBQ. Fourth place was awarded to Smoke a Fatty BBQ Nashville, fifth place went to LEELA Q, and sixth place went to Burnt Plow BBQ. Seventh place was awarded to Rollin’ Smoke BBQ. Eighth place was awarded to Electro-Que-Ted. Ninth place was awarded to Armstrong Smoke Co. And tenth place went to Deviant Smoke.
In the category of Best Desserts, three contestants came in with a perfect score. The three First Place Winners were Cluckin’ Crazy BBQ, Toolshed BBQ, and Rollin’ Smoke BBQ. Fourth place was awarded to Algood BBQ and Catering. Fifth place was awarded to I Only Smoke the Good Stuff. Sixth place was awarded to Electro-Que-Ted. Seventh place was awarded to FOCAS Smokas. Eighth place was awarded to Armstrong Smoke Co. Ninth place was awarded to Black Label Smokers. And tenth place was awarded to LEELA Q.
First Place for Best Backyard Chicken was awarded to Dogpatch Q. Second place was awarded to Smokin’ E BBQ and third place went to Brothers Q BBQ Supply. Fourth place was awarded to Bentley Que. Fifth place was awarded to LEELA Q. Sixth place was awarded to Hell on Squeals. Seventh place was awarded to Mind If I Smoke? Eighth place was awarded to Burnt Plow BBQ. Ninth place was awarded to BBQ Mike. And tenth place was awarded to Armstrong Smoke Co.
Backyard Ribs Award was presented next, and first place was awarded to Dogpatch BBQ. Second place was awarded to LEELA Q and third place was awarded to Mind If I Smoke? Fourth place was awarded to Electro-Que-Ted, fifth place was awarded to Deviant Smoke and sixth place was awarded to Burnt Plow BBQ. Seventh place went to Rollin’ Smoke BBQ. Eighth place was awarded to Gustoso BBQ. Ninth place was awarded to Smoke a Fatty BBQ Nashville. And tenth place went to Hell on Squeals.
The most prestigious award of the event—the Backyard Championship—was the final honor of the night. Having already secured first place in two other categories Dogpatch Q claimed the ultimate title as this year's Grand Champion First Place Winner. Coming in at a close second was LEELA Q and third place was awarded to Mind If I Smoke? Fourth place was awarded to Smokin’ E’s BBQ. Fifth place was awarded to Brothers Q BBQ Supply. Sixth place was awarded to Burnt Plow BBQ. Seventh place was awarded to Hell on Squeals. Eighth place was awarded to Rollin’ Smoke BBQ. Ninth place was awarded to BBQ Mike. And tenth place went to Deviant Smoke.
Chris Coker was the winner of the cornhole boards and Kim and Bill Waddell won the 400-pound processed pig.
The 38th annual High on the Hog event once again delivered an unforgettable experience, proving to be another hog-wild success. As the final carnival lights dimmed and the scent of smoked meats slowly faded into the night, the memories created will linger far beyond the weekend’s festivities.
For some, it was their first time stepping into the lively atmosphere of High on the Hog, experiencing the excitement as a new Franklin County community member. For others, it was a beloved tradition—one that has brought families and friends together year after year. Whether competing, celebrating, or simply soaking in the sights and sounds, every attendee played a part in making this year’s event one to remember. From the thrilling rides to the mouthwatering barbecue, the laughter shared to the friendly competitions, the 2025 edition of High on the Hog is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who joined in the fun.
