Hongseong County Signs MOU with "Memphis in May," One of America's Top 3 Barbecue Festivals

Promise to Establish an Organic Cooperative System for Festival Revitalization

Hongseong County has signed an agreement with Memphis, USA, to successfully host the BBQ Festival and dreams of soaring into a world-class event. Photo by Hongseong County

Hongseong County in South Chungcheong Province will engage in an exchange with "Memphis in May," one of the three major barbecue festivals in the United States.

On May 15, Hongseong County announced that on May 14 at 6 p.m. local time, Hongseong County Mayor Lee Yongrok and President Mack Weaver signed an MOU for festival exchange at the opening ceremony of "Memphis in May," held at Liberty Park in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Under this MOU, Hongseong County and Memphis will closely cooperate to promote tourism, culture, and festivals in both cities. This will include sharing accumulated experience, mutually hosting barbecue cooking and competition programs, and developing tourism and cultural programs.

In particular, Mack Weaver and his spouse will form a delegation to visit Hongseong for the "2025 Hongseong Global BBQ Festival," which will be held from October 30 to November 2.

Additionally, the two sides agreed to strengthen mutual exchange through the participation of teams competing in the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at "Memphis in May," as well as through booth operations and program participation.

Lee Yongrok, Mayor of Hongseong County, stated, "The signing of this MOU marks a new beginning," adding, "We will designate working-level staff from relevant departments and affiliated organizations to ensure immediate exchange and cooperation so that our relationship can develop further following the signing."

He also announced plans to invite winners of the Memphis Cooking Contest to participate in the Hongseong Global BBQ Festival by granting them entry rights.

Started in 1978 and now in its 47th year, "Memphis in May" is one of the three major barbecue festivals in the United States. It is held every May at Liberty Park in Midtown Memphis and features the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Meanwhile, this visit to "Memphis in May" was made at the invitation of Vice President Kevin Gross, who attended last year's Hongseong Global BBQ Festival.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.