Whether it’s eastern-style or western-style, North Carolina barbecue tastes better when it benefits a charitable cause. That is the inspiration behind the Masonic Carolina Pig Jig at the Got to Be NC Festival Saturday, May 22.

The barbecue cook-off raises money to support the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home, both in Oxford. The residential homes provide a stable environment for disadvantaged and neglected children and teens.

“We were overwhelmed by the amount of support shown by more than 1,750 attendees last year,” said Mike Sterling, Carolina Pig Jig event coordinator. “We had a lot of fun, and also raised $8,000 for our charities.”

This year, cook-off teams representing 30 N.C. Masonic lodges will prepare their best barbecue pork, chicken and sauces for a chance at awards and bragging rights. Once the barbecue is judged, it will be chopped and sold starting at 11 a.m. Tickets for all-you-can-eat barbecue are $10 for adults; children 12 and under eat free.

Amran Shriners will join their Masonic counterparts at the festival with their own fish-fry fund-raiser Friday, May 21. The Shriners will serve N.C. mountain trout, catfish and shrimp next to the Expo Building from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per plate. The fund-raiser benefits the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provides free medical care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

The Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will feature antique farm equipment, a fiber fest, carnival, live music, a food and wine expo, tractor pulls and more. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight May 21 and 22, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 23. Admission and parking for the festival are free. There is a $5 fee for grandstand events.

For more information about the Got to Be NC Festival, go to www.ncagfest.com.