The Ronoake-Chowan Pork Fest, Murfreesboro, NC May 18-19, 2007

This was the sixth year of the Ronoake-Chowan Pork Fest, sponsored by the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana. The Pork Fest was started with the goal of being a major fund raising event for the museum. It began with 10 pigs and has sold out each year since. This year there were 18 cooking teams competing in the competition. #1 Wayne Futrell, #2 Danny Clapton, #3 Charlie Meeks, #4 Michael Piner, #5 Russell Snider.

Brinson Paul, director of the museum, shared that they fed over 1,000 people, displayed 53 antique automobiles, toured the museum, were entertained by the Rocky Hock Opry Band, had several vendors along with an art show and sale. He also advises that the Pork Fest is a family event with entertainment for the children and no alcohol.

The museum is located in the old Murfreesboro High School Building that was built in 1922. Pork Fest is held on the campus of the museum. Brinson Paul advises that the museum has the largest museum display in the state of North Carolina with over 13,000 items on display including the largest collection of washing machines, dairy equipment, irons and music boxes in the United States. The items come from the collection of Brady C. Jefcoat of Raleigh that he acquired over the course of 40 years.