If you’re looking for where to be on Saturday, May 16, this is it: Christopher Prieto—the pitmaster behind Prime Barbecue—is teaming up with the Town of Knightdale to launch the inaugural Pickin’ in the Park, a new BBQ and live music festival, happening from 4–7 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park.
The event brings together top North Carolina pitmasters, bluegrass bands, and family-friendly activities, all while raising money for the Raleigh Rescue Mission and its residential program, The Garden.
We’d like to say this is just another spring festival—grab some food, listen to music, go home happy—but that would be underselling it. Because when Prieto gets involved, it’s never just “another event.” It’s barbecue with purpose.
“Barbecue has always been about community—gathering together around the fire, sharing great food, and lifting each other up,” Prieto says. “Pickin’ in the Park is our way of honoring that tradition right here in Knightdale, and making a real difference for women and families in need.”
And that’s really the hook here. Yes, you’re coming for the food. But you’re staying because it actually means something.
Let’s not pretend this isn’t why you’re reading.
The food lineup is exactly what you want it to be—no filler, no fluff, just these heavy hitters:
• Prime Barbecue — Open-faced brisket sandwich
• Sam Jones BBQ — NC–style whole-hog sandwich
• Old Colony Smokehouse — Chicken wings
• Dampf Good BBQ — Pork belly burnt ends
This isn’t background music while you eat—it’s part of the experience.
The afternoon rolls into evening with a full lineup of live music:
• Shannon Baker and Sometime Soon (4–4:40 p.m.)
• Russell Johnson and The Bluegrass Time (5–5:40 p.m.)
• The Burnett Sisters Band (6–7 p.m.)
If you’re bringing kids—or just want a break between bites—there’s plenty going on beyond the smoker:
• Jones Lemonade Slushy
• Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream
• Gourmet Chavalin
• Yard games
• Face painting
• Kids crafts (yes, musical spoons are involved)
A portion of the proceeds goes to Raleigh Rescue Mission’s “The Garden,” a residential program that helps women and families rebuild their lives through support, education, and job training.
If you’ve been anywhere near the Triangle food scene, you already know Prieto isn’t just another pitmaster. He’s a James Beard Award–nominated chef, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, a TV regular, and one of the guys quietly redefining what barbecue looks like in North Carolina.
Pickin’ in the Park isn’t trying to be the biggest festival in the state—at least not yet. But it might end up being one of the most meaningful. Good barbecue, live music, local community, and a cause behind it all. That’s a hard combo to beat.
Check out more food-related stories from Midtown magazine here!
