Clover BBQ, bluegrass event growing in popularity

They came together to help feed the hungry. But no one who attended Saturday’s Butts and Bluegrass Barbecue Festival in Clover had to leave with an empty stomach.

Ten barbecue teams from York County and beyond offered samples of their best pork to hungry crowds at Clover Community Park during the fourth annual benefit.

The pit teams also competed for honors for best butt, ribs, brisket and a people’s choice award. Judging was sanctioned by the S.C. Barbecue Association.

“It’s a small event, but we have some very good teams here,” said judging supervisor Don Adkins, chief marshal of the S.C. barbecue district.

The event was started in 2012 by Clover residents Lisa and Jeff Thornburg, to give back to their community. Proceeds benefit hunger relief efforts of the Clover Area Assistance Center.

The event has grown every year. Lisa Thornburg said it may need a larger venue next year.

Local competitors included the Clover Firehouse BBQ, a group of volunteer firefighters and others who teamed up four years ago to cook barbecue and have fun.

The team has “a lot of experience,” said member Bob McAlister. “You try and fail, then you try another recipe and succeed.”

Steve Skinnell, who started the Clover group and is still a member, “has got his rubs down to a science. And rubs are about 60 percent of barbecue. The other 40 percent is cooking,” McAlister said.

New to the Clover event was Backwoods BBQ Shack, the husband-and-wife team of Rodney and Sherry Poole of Smyrna. They have competed in some Kansas City Barbecue Association events around the Carolinas, she said.

“To me, it’s relaxing,” Rodney Poole said. “I just love to do it.”

Thornburg said the event raised about $1,000 last year for CACC’s hunger assistance, and also contributed canned foods donated by people at the gate. Thornburg said she hopes to make an even larger contribution to CACC this year.

This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Clover BBQ, bluegrass event growing in popularity ."