By Lanier Laney
For such a beautiful weekend, Habitat for Humanity had no idea they’d be eaten alive by a hungry hoard of meat lovers at their first High on the Hog BBQ Festival! They were quite overwhelmed and not 
prepared for how many people would turn up and pig-out at this new charity event, unfortunately running out of delicious grub both days.
Said Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry Executive Director Brenda Dooley, “We would like everyone to know that we were overwhelmed by the community’s outstanding support. We apologize to those who didn’t get to the festival before the food sold out, but we WILL do better in our second year.”
It’s not uncommon for many of the fundraising events I cover to run out of 
food, even for organizations that have been doing it for years. So I say we cut them some slack this year as it was their first time out and they had no idea how many people would show up to support them.
Beyond the food running out, it was a real fun success. The food was terrific both days and the setting under the big oaks at Whitehall Plantation on Lady’s Island surrounded by the Beaufort River was superb. The fine, humidity free summer day contributed to the big turnout. Next year, they will probably have double the barbecue contestants, once the word about this event gets around the state. So there will be double the food! I’ve also been assured that they will take steps to make sure everyone gets fed one way or another next year.
The money that was raised is going to a great cause; Habitat is using part of it to complete a house being built on the corner of Church and Congress streets downtown for a lovely family that was at the event. It’s neat when you can see your charity dollars at work, actually building a better future for a family. Big thanks to the more than 125 hard-working volunteers at the event.
Celebrity judges on Friday night were Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray, Councilman Mike Sutton, and local business leaders Kevin Cuppia, Gary and Donna Lang, and Doug Massalon.
There were 14 competing barbecue cookers from all over the state, but Beaufort made a very strong showing with three of the best being from here: Sea Eagle Market (Craig Reaves), S’Lowcountry Q (Quentin Tedder) and Still Smokin’ (Harry Flint), who won two of the top spots!
The winners of the First High on the Hog Event were:
• Grand Champion: Pimp My Pig from Leesville, SC
• Reserve Champion: Yes, Dear BBQ from Savannah
• Best Butts
1st: Pimp My Pig
2nd: Yes, Dear BBQ
3rd: Phat Guys BBQ from Conway, SC
4th: Bad Mother Smokers from Concord, NC
5th: S’Lowcountry Q from Beaufort (Quentin Tedder)
• Best Ribs
1st: Still Smokin’ from Beaufort (Harry Flint)
2nd: Pimp My Pig
3rd: Can’t Quit Smokin’ from Winnsboro, SC
4th – Yes, Dear BBQ
5th – Phat Guys BBQ
For Friday’s Everything Lowcountry, which showcased non-barbecue food and included everything from stews to chicken bogs and shrimp bogs to shrimp and grits, salads, pickles, hush puppies, all the way to even a smoked apple pie!
1st: Still Smokin’
2nd: S’Lowcountry Q
