In 2018, Lexington Tourism Authority Director Robin Bivens was in Dublin, Ireland, on a personal vacation when she learned just how far the reputation of her small hometown and its unique barbecue had spread.
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Photos: Looking back at Lexington Barbecue Festival
A barbecue sandwich ready to be eaten at Lexington's 27th annual Barbecue Festival in 2010.
(From left) Gwinnie Smith and the reflection of the band and crowd on the bottom Tracy Thornton's steel drum as the band "Bahama Mamas" plays "Brown Eyed Girl" at stage #2 during the 2013 BBQ Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 26, 2013.
(From left) Smoke and heatwaves fill the crisp afternoon air as Tony Wilson and Bill Tuller cook up french fries during the 2013 BBQ Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 26, 2013.
The mammoth sandcastle art by Lexington Utilities draws a crowd during the 2013 BBQ Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 26, 2013.Â
A BBQ sandwich and fries as seen during the 2013 BBQ Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 26, 2013.Â
(From left) Sandye (cq) Saintsing and Tracy Thornton of the Steel Drum band "Bahama Mamas" wow the crowd at stage #2 during the 2013 BBQ Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 26, 2013.Â
An estimated 150,000 people were expected to attend the 28th annual Barbecue Festival in Lexington in 2011.
Julia Spano, 4, of Greensboro waits patiently as artist Deanna Long draws a portrait of her at the 28th annual Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2011.
The 12th annual Pig Sand Sculpture at the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2011.Â
Crowds attend the 28th annual Barbecue Festival in Lexington in 2011.
Crowds pack Main Street during Lexington's 27th annual Barbecue Festival in 2010.
Ja'Nice Marble [cq] (left) and her mother Tandra Marble of Charlotte laugh as they eat barbecue sandwiches at Lexington's 27th annual Barbecue Festival in 2010.
A sign leads festivalgoers to the deep-fried butter and bacon at Lexington's 27th annual Barbecue Festival in 2010.
Festivalgoers at the Barbecue Festival check out a 1934 Chevy Sedan Delivery, among other vintage cars in 2010.
Pig balloons fly overhead during Lexington's 27th annual Barbecue Festival in 2011.
A barbecue tray dinner at the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2012.
A view as the crowds dwindle at the Main Stage near closing time at the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2012.
Dennis Cook, owner of Circle C Farms, prepares the participants of the 12:00 showing of the HOGWAY Speedway Racing Pigs from Circle C Farms during the 23rd Annual Lexington Barbecue Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C. in 2006. The racing pigs are part of the free entertainment of the festival, while adjacent to it are the pony rides.Â
Dennis Cook (right), owner of HOGWAY Speedway Racing Pigs from Circle C Farms, monitors the progress of racing ducks during the 23rd Annual Lexington Barbecue Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C. in 2006. The races are part of the free entertainment of the festival, while adjacent to it are the pony rides.Â
Ten-month-old Emila Fine [cq] drinks from a bottle while dressed in a pig costume at the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2008.
Crowds enjoy a myriad of vendor tents during the annual Barbecue Festival at along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 27, 2007.
Young and old alike enjoy the pig races of HOGWAY Speedway Racing Pigs from Circle C Farms during the 23rd Annual Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2006 along Main Street in Lexington, N.C. The racing pigs are part of the free entertainment of the festival, while adjacent to it are the pony rides.Â
Crowds fill the streets in downtown Lexington during the 2005 Barbecue Festival in Lexington.Â
Mark Weaver moves some hot coals in downtown Lexington, at the Bar-B-Q Center in preparation for the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2004.
First cousins Garth Tysinger (from left) and Ted Presley, both 11 and both from Davidson County, chow down on corn at the 20th Annual Barbecue Festival in Lexington in 2003.
Davidson County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Richardson peers through binoculars over Main St. in Lexington while standing just a few feet from his sniper rifle during the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2001.
Boyd Lindsey grills turkey legs in downtown Lexington during the Lexington Barbecue Festival in 2005.
Michelle Feaster of Lexington takes a bite out of a turkey leg during the Barbecue Festival in Lexington in 2005.
Georgia Taylor, of Anderson, S.C., enjoys the sounds of the band "SwampdaWamp" on stage three during the annual Barbecue Festival along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 27, 2007.Â
Anthony Beasley of Greensboro adds some condiments to his barbecue sandwich while Christy Wetzel, of Greensboro, watches during the annual Barbecue Festival at along Main Street in Lexington, N.C., Saturday, October 27, 2007.
Shayne Wilson, 12, peeks at Porky, an 1,100-pound Duroc pig from Wisconsin, who was napping late in the day during the 20th Annual Barbecue Festival in Lexington in 2003.
A barbecue sandwich is made at the Lexington BBQ Festival in 1998. The next festival will be held Oct. 22, 2022.
