The weather was great this year for photographing the Pickles, Pigs, N Swigs event in downtown Mount Olive, NC. There were 17 teams competing for the title of best barbecue. Many of them stayed up all night to cook their pigs to the perfect temperature. 

The event started on a Friday night at the R & R Brewing Company. The judges and teams had a meeting to go over the rules and answer any questions that the teams might have. The teams then set up in front of the Mount Olive police station parking lot. 

The judging started the next morning around 8am. The judges checked the temperatures in various zones of each pig. They carefully broke up the meat and then tasted it. The judges had various categories that they rated and then gave scores, in order to determine the winner. 

The judges told me that they had to limit the amount of barbecue that they eat at each team. It can fill your stomach up, eating barbecue 17 different times. I asked one of the judges if their enthusiasm dwindles the further they get to the end. One of the judges replied, "My enthusiasm is as fresh as a daisy!" The judges definitely love what they do.

The event officially started a few hours later. The winners of the competition were announced and the trophies and prize money were awarded. The teams chopped up their barbecue and the pork was served as plates for the public to purchase. 

There were several food trucks and R&R Brewing served their craft beer. Vintage car owners were in attendance to show off their unique vehicles. There were several events for families, including corn hole, axe throwing, bouncy houses and pickle train rides. Even Ollie the Pickle showed up to meet with fans!