Booster Club sets date for Pigskin Cook-Off
By From staff reports
Published in News on September 24, 2014 1:46 PM
DUDLEY -- The Southern Wayne Saints Booster Club is issuing a call for cook teams and sponsors for the third annual Pigskin Cook-Off and Plate Sale fundraiser to be held Oct. 17-18 at Southern Wayne High School.
The event is designed to raise funds for the school's athletics programs. The cook-off has generated more than $22,000 for the booster club over the last two years, and organizers hope to substantially increase that amount this year.
"It's a way to generate money for the school, but it also celebrates the school community," said Adrian O'Neal, club president. "We have students, staff, parents and other volunteers turn out on a big scale over two days to help pull this off. It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun."
This year's competition is again sanctioned by the N.C. Pork Council, and the winner will represent Southern Wayne High School at the 2015 North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship.
Last year's winner, James Wilder of Wilder's Old Style BBQ in Dudley, will compete in Raleigh at the 2014 state cook-off on Oct. 3.
The Saints' cook-off will feature from 10 to 12 competition teams this year, and the grills will fire up at 8 p.m. Friday during the Southern Wayne-South Central homecoming football game.
Teams will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost to enter the competition is $250.
"We've had good response and a lot of interest in the cook-off since we started it," event chairman Tony Jones said. "It's been a good event for us."
The plate sale on Oct. 18 will feature a classic car show by the Wayne County Cruisers and an antique tractor show by the Eastern Carolina Vintage Farm Equipment Club. The shows will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the school.
The plate sale is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria, with drive-throughs set up at the school and on N.C. 55 next to Roberts Machine Shop in Mount Olive.
In addition to barbecued pork, the booster club will also offer barbecued chicken plates. All plates are $8 each, and tickets are available through any Southern Wayne student or by calling 919-222-4322.
Adding to the fun is the fact that the event this year is set for homecoming weekend.
"Plans are in the works for activities for students on the football field and in the cook area after the game," O'Neal said. "We're still working out the details."
In addition to teams, the club is seeking sponsors to help underwrite the costs of the event. Whole hog sponsorships are $500, and half-hog ones are $250.
For more information on sponsorships, contact club secretary Lynn Williams at 919-581-3628.
"We've had such a good time with this event, and each year it just gets better," Mrs. Williams said. "It's great to see so many people turn out to support Southern Wayne."
For complete information about the barbecue, including rules, registration forms and sponsor forms, visit the school website, http://www.waynecountyschools.org/Domain/2104
For more information about the teams, contact Jones at 919-738-4566.