Smoke Over Holston Barbecue Competition

08/10/2026

Smoke Over Holston is about more than just great barbecue—it’s about our community and the talented people who make this area so special.

When we decided to update our logo, we wanted it to truly represent the place we call home. We wanted to include South Holston Lake, where part of the Smoke Over Holston name came from and which is also part of Green Spring’s territory. We also wanted to feature the historic Aven Bridge that crosses the lake.

We had the idea, but we needed a talented artist who could bring it all together. That’s when local artist Melinda Fritts stepped in. We handed her a rough—and we mean very rough—sketch, and somehow she took our ideas and turned them into an absolute masterpiece!

Melinda has an incredible talent for seeing the bigger picture and bringing ideas to life. The time, attention to detail, and creativity she put into our logo went far beyond anything we could have imagined. She captured the beauty of our area, the meaning behind our name, and the heart of our event perfectly.

What makes it even more special is that Melinda generously donated her time and talent to Smoke Over Holston. Having a local artist create something that represents our local community means more to us than we can put into words.

Please help us show Melinda Fritts some well-deserved love! Check out her artwork, follow her work, and keep her in mind when you need an artist who can take an idea—even a very rough one—and turn it into something amazing.

Melinda, thank you for believing in our idea and creating a logo that we will be proud to display for years to come. You are truly talented, and we are so thankful to have your artwork as part of Smoke Over Holston!

08/10/2026

We would like to welcome Mountainside Creations to Smoke Over Holston as one of our vendors!

Mountainside Creations is a local Southwest Virginia business specializing in quality, handmade woodwork. They create beautiful cutting boards, serving trays, charcuterie boards, custom cabinetry, shelving, and many other one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.

Make sure to stop by their booth at Smoke Over Holston and check out their handcrafted creations! You can also visit their website to see more of their work:

https://mountainsidecreations.com/

We’re excited to have them joining us October 23–25!

Mountainside Creations Quality Crafted Treasures From our well-equipped shop located in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia, we create heirloom quality pieces to augment your life and home. We take pride in our work, and we are proud of the products we create and offer. We are confident yo...

08/08/2026

🔥 Vendor Spotlight – Lawrence’s Wheelin’ and Grillin’

We are excited to welcome Lawrence’s Wheelin’ and Grillin’ to Smoke Over Holston!

With a name like Wheelin’ and Grillin’, you already know they will fit right in during a weekend filled with smoke, barbecue, and good times. Make sure you stop by their setup, meet the people behind the business, and see what they have to offer.

One of the best parts of Smoke Over Holston is getting to discover and support vendors from our area. Come hungry, bring the family, and show Lawrence’s Wheelin’ and Grillin’ some love October 23–25!

08/08/2026

💨 Vendor Spotlight – Sophisticated Hillbilly Ci**rs

Sophisticated Hillbilly Ci**rs will be bringing the smoke to Smoke Over Holston!

This mobile cigar vendor offers a selection of premium ci**rs for both experienced cigar lovers and those looking to try something new. Stop by, check out their selection, ask questions, and find a cigar that is right for you.

Great barbecue, good company, and a premium cigar sound like the perfect combination for a fall weekend. Be sure to visit Sophisticated Hillbilly Ci**rs at Smoke Over Holston, October 23–25!

08/08/2026

🥤 Vendor Spotlight – The Lil Pop Shop

Get ready to treat yourself because The Lil Pop Shop is coming to Smoke Over Holston!

They will be bringing plenty of sweetness to the weekend with their fun drinks and delicious treats. From colorful dirty sodas to different flavors and sweet creations, their booth will be the perfect place to stop when you need something refreshing to enjoy with all that barbecue.

Bring the kids, try something new, and don’t forget to snap a picture of your drink before it disappears! Make sure The Lil Pop Shop is on your list of vendors to visit at Smoke Over Holston, October 23–25.

08/08/2026

🛍️ Vendor Spotlight – Cabin Creations by Jan Mullins

We are excited to welcome Jan Mullins with Cabin Creations to Smoke Over Holston!

Cabin Creations is the kind of booth you will want to take your time looking through because you never know what special item might catch your eye. Jan brings a wonderful variety of items, so there is something for almost everyone. She is also one of the friendliest people you will meet and will make you feel welcome the moment you stop by.

Come see Jan, browse everything Cabin Creations has to offer, and find something special to take home. Be sure to support this wonderful small business while you are enjoying Smoke Over Holston, October 23–25!

08/07/2026

Smoke Over Holston would like to introduce the vendors we have joining us so far this year!

First up is Jan Mullins with Cabin Creations. Jan’s booth has a little bit of everything, so you never know what you might find. She is always friendly and will make you feel welcome the second you walk up to her booth. Make sure you stop by, look around, and say hello!

Next is The Lil Pop Shop from Abingdon. They will be bringing their boujie cake pops, dirty sodas, and other sweet treats. If you have a sweet tooth, this is one booth you will definitely want to visit.

Sophisticated Hillbilly Ci**rs will also be joining us. They are a mobile cigar vendor from Norton offering a selection of premium ci**rs. Stop by their booth, meet the folks behind the business, and find the perfect cigar to enjoy.

We’re also excited to welcome Lawrence’s Wheelin and Grillin. They are a local food truck serving up hot food for anyone who works up an appetite while walking around and enjoying the event.

We appreciate every vendor who chooses to be part of Smoke Over Holston. Be sure to stop by their booths, try something new, and support these local small businesses.

Smoke Over Holston will be held October 23–25, 2026, at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Fill out the application here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeE7Sla7dcLvrSZAi_uVG8mWThqV12S0tPItVj_8WrNfjrYLw/viewform?usp=preview

We’re still accepting vendors, competitors, and sponsors!

Smoke Over Holston Vendor Sign-Up We are now accepting vendor sign-ups for the Smoke Over Holston Barbecue Competition! Vendor Fee: The fee for vendors this year will be a donation to the fire department, which can be given the day you arrive or before you leave. Set-Up Options: Friday (early set-up...

08/07/2026

Smoke Over Holston is coming back October 23–25, 2026, at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon!

Come spend the weekend with us and enjoy some great barbecue, local vendors, friendly competition, and plenty of fun. This event is a fundraiser for the Green Spring Volunteer Fire Department, so every bit of support means a lot to us.

Teams will be competing in chicken, Boston butt, ribs, brisket, wings, chili, baked beans, Most Creative Dish, and the Mystery Item.

Grand Champion wins $1,000 and free entry for 2027.

The People’s Choice winner receives $1,000 and free entry for 2027.

Category winners receive $250 for first place and $100 for second place.

Most importantly, we need plenty of hungry people to come out for People’s Choice! You’ll get to taste barbecue from our teams and vote for your favorite. People’s Choice will be held Saturday and Sunday.

We’re still looking for competitors, vendors, and sponsors. Competitor fees are $75 for a cooking spot, $25 for a camper spot, $25 per category, and $25 for the Mystery Item.

Competitors can sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvgEj6u2g7Mh1FPLl7f37x79p25OYQFbuO8vssm-Ug6uWQuA/viewform?usp=header4

We also want to give a big shoutout to all of our sponsors! Thank you to C.W. Williams, A&S Sanitation, The Axe & Ale House, Lakeshore Campground, and everyone else who has supported us. We truly couldn’t put this event together without you. Please help us show these businesses some love for supporting our department and our community.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and come hungry! We can’t wait to see everyone at the 3rd Annual Smoke Over Holston!

08/07/2026

🌟🔥 SMOKE OVER HOLSTON SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🔥🌟

We would like to welcome C.W. Williams to the Smoke Over Holston family!

C.W. Williams provides fire departments with the fire trucks, ambulances, PPE, rescue equipment, tools, parts, maintenance, and repairs they need to serve their communities. They provide us with much of the equipment we use and work hard to make sure departments have the right tools to help their communities when emergencies happen.

We are extremely thankful for their support and everything they do for first responders. Sponsors like C.W. Williams play a huge part in helping Smoke Over Holston continue to grow while supporting the Green Spring Volunteer Fire Department.

Please help us give C.W. Williams a big shout-out and thank them for supporting Smoke Over Holston, first responders, and our community! ❤️🔥🐷🚒

🔥 We’re still looking for competitors, vendors, and sponsors—and most importantly, we need plenty of hungry People’s Choice tasters! Come sample some amazing barbecue and help choose the People’s Choice winner!

Come join the Smoke Over Holston family and help us make this year’s event the biggest and best one yet!

📅 October 23–25, 2026
📍 Abingdon, Virginia