“Have a smokin’ day!”

Sweet P's owner Chris Ford picks the pigs Saturday.

Smokin’ Day Fest is an annual benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Basically, it is an all-you-can eat party featuring smoked pork sandwiches, potato salad, macaroni and cheese and cole slaw. Beer at Smokin’ Day Fest was sponsored by Knoxville’s Cherokee Distributing Company, meaning Sweet P’s most popular brands were available: Miller Lite, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Miller High Life. I think I even saw a Coor’s Light or two.

Other highlights of the afternoon and evening were the music, the Corn Holin’ beanbag tossing contest and the much ballyhooed banana pudding eating contest. This is an event where you could truly do good while feeling good. We highly recommend you check it out next year. Admission this year was $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the Fest. The music alone was worth that.

The Smokin’ Day festivities started at 4. That’s about the time the Three Uncles took to the patio with hard core country music. The Three Uncles are a portion of the better-known group called The Drunk Uncles.

The Three Uncles on the patio. Note the guy on the far left. His name is Gordy. You will see him later in this post. Ha.

Because it was so incredibly hot, many of us chose to stay inside.

Inside fun.

Mary Ellen and Dr. Steven Brewington displaying probably the most popular libation of the day. Mary Ellen is with Cherokee Distributing.

For those not in the mood for beer, these elegant wine buckets were provided!

Alan happily digs in to the victuals of the day.

When the Three Uncles finished, Kevin Buchmeier took the inside stage. Among other songs, he played "I'll Risk It for Her Biscuits," a ditty he wrote for this summer's International Biscuit Festival.

Finally, our friend Rosa arrived. We had told her to bring a folding chair. But she did us one better and also brought a pillow! Rosa, how long were you planning to stay at Smokin’ Day?

Rosa Mar, left, arrives with all her gear. Dawn Ford, the mother of Sweet P's proprietor, greets her.

When it started to cool down, we ventured outside to see what was going on. It was largely more of the same sort of fun!

Outside fun.

The Naughty Knots took the outside stage.

The Naughty Knots play bluegrass and more.

The Corn Holin' contest was in full swing in the parking lot.

The lemonade stand was popular.

Hayden Hammond, left, and Presley Ford staffed the lemonade stand.

A word about Presley Ford. She’s the “Sweet P” of “Sweet P’s!” The daughter of Chris and Kari Ford, she was named after Elvis Presley. The restaurant features plenty of Elvis memorabilia.

Presley poses with the pig that decorates the lemonade stand.

Presley and her maternal grandmother, Diana Chappell

Guess what time is was getting to be! Time for the banana pudding eating contest! Yay! Five contestants claimed seats at the table.

Gordy, of the Three Uncles, unbottoned his shirt in preparation for the start of the contest. Notice he had his beer handy to wash it down!

It became clear almost immediately that there were only two real contenders in this race to eat the most banana pudding in one minute.

Evan Broadhead was giving Gordy a run for his money from the get-go.

But Gordy ultimately won! The prize? A $25 Sweet P's gift certificate and t-shirt.

Said Evan after the contest, “Gordy and I just want everyone to know that the rest of our families were born normal.”

Peggy Hambright of Magpies bakery enjoyed the outdoors and even played a little fiddle.

John Lyon and Kari Ford chat under the tent.

Robert Coakley, left, and Bob McClellan enjoyed watching the pudding contest.

From left, Rosa Mar, Dawn Ford, Richard Ford, Stephanie Schell, Alan Carmichael, and Jason Schell

As night fell, the fantastic R&B group Aftah Party took over the outside stage and folks took to the parking lot dance floor.

Aftah Party

Woo-hoo!

Thanks to Sweet P’s and Cherokee Distributing for a great Saturday night and to our friends, the Ford family, for the invite!

From left, Richard, Chris and Dawn Ford

The top of the hard-working smoker!