by Mark Gibbs, MABA Board member and Pitmaster of Checkered Flag 500 BBQ

The 2016 Covington Cork and Pork Festival in Covington, Virginia was a huge success despite horrible weather in the area that threatened the contest.

Twenty-seven teams battled the elements and made the trek to compete in Covington.  David Bryant and the folks in Covington couldn’t be more accommodating to the teams. On Friday night they supplied everyone with a great Italian buffet on the back of a gator tractor. On Saturday the same Gator tractor came around with a great display of breakfast sandwiches with all the fixin’s and David stayed on top of his people who were so helpful in giving the teams everything that they needed to have a successful weekend.

The weather Thursday night into Friday did actually threaten the stability of the contest, but the folks in Covington decided that we would go on as planned. The weather broke on Friday and we had great weather for the rest of the weekend and there were no disruptions or any issues because of the weather.

This is my second year doing this contest and it’s one that I always have on my list of to do contests.  They treat the competitors great and they’re just a great bunch of folks that love good barbecue.  If you have a chance to put this one on your schedule next year you should really do it.  Dave Bryant said that they may move the date next year to help accommodate more teams and avoid some scheduling conflicts.

Looking forward to Covington Cork and Pork in 2017!