A barbecue cook-off and festival at the S.C. State Farmers Market in West Columbia March 23-24 will feature barbecue pitmasters from across the South.

The inaugural Commissioner’s Cup also will include entertainment, barbecue tastings, local vendors selling South Carolina specialty foods, and cooking demonstrations in the exhibition kitchen inside the market’s Corbett Building.

The pitmasters will compete for honors in several categories: Anything But, Butts and Ribs. A grand champion and reserve champion will be named.

The S.C. Department of Agriculture is sponsoring the barbecue cook-off. Part of the proceeds will go to the Harvest Hope Food Bank, which helps feed the hungry in 20 South Carolina counties.

Admission is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday. Admission is free for children 12 and under accompanied by a parent who bring canned food items for Harvest Hope.

Gates open on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.