The Barbecue Festival has been recognized nationally, regionally, and statewide for its excellence. The annual street festival held in Lexington, NC features live entertainment, 250+ exhibitors, special attractions, and the World's BEST Barbecue...Lexington Style! The event has been named one of the top 10 food festivals in America by Travel and Leisure Magazine, designated multiple years as a top 20 October event by the Southeast Tourism Society, is a part of the Library of Congress & Local Legacies project, and has won more than fifty awards through the N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Excellence Awards program. The festival was also named One of Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food by USA Today.