Annual Mallard Creek Church BBQ Canceled Due To COVID-19

CHARLOTTE, NC — The annual Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church BBQ is cancelled this year due to coronavirus concerns, the church announced.

The event, which has been held for 90 years, takes place every year on the fourth Thursday in October.

Church leaders called in a "difficult decision," but voted unanimously to cancel the event.

"While we realize that the “Grand Daddy of North Carolina BBQ’s” is a timeless tradition, greatly anticipated by our Church Membership, our community, the media, and politicians – but, first and foremost the health and safety of our hundreds of Church volunteers and the thousands of valuable customers we serve each year is of the utmost importance," the church said in a statement.

Organizers had explored alternate options, such as drive-thru only service, spaced out seating, postponement, or a scaled down event, the church said.

"Unfortunately, the time-honored tradition of slow roasted pork over hickory wood and making our Brunswick stew and cole slaw from scratch – requires very close contact of our Church volunteers for a week," it said. "We saw no way to accomplish this, and have our folks remain safe. Finally, we would never want to endanger our customers on BBQ Day."

The next BBQ event is scheduled for October 28, 2021. Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church is located at 1600 W. Mallard Creek Church Road in Charlotte.