Brinson Paul
Jefcoat Museum
Special to The Tidewater News
MURFREESBORO, N.C.

The Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana announces the activities for the 14th annual event, which this year also falls on National Armed Forces Day. After many months of planning, the final schedule is released for the May 16 celebration of all things pork.

Entertainment will showcase the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band from Norfolk, which will headline the recognition of past and present members of the armed forces on their day. The entertainment stage will be moved to the front of the museum and will feature entertainment from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Other entertainment includes a performance by the Riverview Elementary Kindergarten group, Karley Jo Rose, the Nansemond County Cloggers, the Potecasi Strings Band, the Eyes of Emiline Vocal Trio (the King Sisters), a karate demonstration and lots of music for “Dancing in the Street.”

A football skills contest (punt, pass and kick) and a basketball free throw shooting contest will be conducted by the Chowan University football and basketball coaching staffs. These events will be open to boys and girls from ages 6 through 12. Pre-registration well be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the information tent in front of the museum. The contests will begin in the afternoon at 2:15.

The above events are free as well as many other venues for the enjoyment of the children, such as face painting, fishing game, tic-tac-toe game, croket and a visit by the Piggly Wiggly Pig and the Credit Union Fat Cat.

All children under 12 years of age will be admitted to the festival free when accompanied by an adult and can participate in all events but the BBQ meal. The Pepsi Wagon will be on site serving hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches and soft drinks.

Come early and watch the twenty BBQ cooking teams put the finishing touches on their golden brown pigs. Be sure to take advantage of the three hour opening of the Jefcoat Museum, the antique car display, the craft venders and the ‘Best BBQ Meal’ in North Carolina. Ernest Twisdale, the North Carolina State Champion at the 2014 state cook-off, will return this year to defend his title as the Roanoke Chowan Pork-Fest Champion.

Advance tickets are $15 for the entire day’s events and are available from Smith Jewelers and Southern Charm Garden Center in Franklin, as well as the Nottoway House Furniture Company in Courtland. Tickets on the day of the event will be $20 if available.

Pork-Fest is a family oriented event and is drug and alcohol free.