Lucile Moungle (right), 68, stirs a 5-gallon pot of Brunswick stew to keep the stew from burning, as she has the past 23 years for the Mallard Creek Barbecue on Thursday, Oct. 24, 1997. The festival also serves a heaping plate of politics.
PATRICK SCHNEIDER
After 93 years, the Mallard Creek Barbecue is ending its annual tradition of serving thousands of hungry eaters with a big side of politics. The event, known as “the Grandaddy of all Barbecues,” attracted local, state and federal candidates — including the likes of Vice President Dan Quayle, over its many decades on Mallard Creek Road in Charlotte.
Vice President Dan Quayle at the Mallard Creek BBQ in 1988 Don Sturkey
Vice President Dan Quayle at the Mallard Creek BBQ in 1988 Don Sturkey Don Sturkey
Pat McCrory, Charlotte mayor and NC gubenatorial candidate, greets longtime political acquaintance, Jeff Williams at the Mallard Creek Barbecue Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008. JOHN D. SIMMONS John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charl
Democratic senatorial candidate John Edwards campaigns Thursday at the Mallard Creek Barbecue Oct. 22, 1988 CHRISTOPHER A. RECORD
Mayoral candidate Anthony Fox speaks at the 80th Mallard Creek BBQ, Oct. 22, 2009.
Democratic Mayoral candidate Jennifer Roberts greets Kara Parker, 11, left, at the annual Mallard Creek BBQ event at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Oct. 22, 2015 Diedra Laird dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
Arthur Griffin, running for school board and Susan Burgess, right, running for City Council at Large, meet Carol Livingston of Huntersville as she files past political candidates gathered at Thursday's Mallard Creek BBQ Oct. 28, 1999 FRANCISCO KJOLSETH
Left to right: Theadora Samuel Allison Ball, Drema Gaiten and Betty Staton stir Brunswick stew at the 84th annual Mallard Creek Barbecue on Thursday Oct. 24, 2013. The event brought thousands of people to the yearly right of passage where citizens not only can get their hands on a great slaw and pulled pork sandwich but also their local politicians who come out in force to campaign for election. JOHN D. SIMMONS jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Pauline Simuel, left, and Linda Williams, both of the Optimist Park neighborhood in Charlotte, have some fun with stickers as they go through the line of political candidates at the annual Mallard Creek Barbecue Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002. CHRISTOPHER A. RECORD
Volunteers begin preparations for the 88th annual Mallard Creek BBQ at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church onThursday, October 28, 2017. Davie Hinshaw dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
Andrea Williams dons a red, white and blue cowboy hat at the Mallard Creek BBQ Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 John D. Simmons Observer file photo
Smoke from the cookers permeates the air as volunteers began preparations for the 88th annual Mallard Creek BBQ at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Thursday, October 19, 2017. Davie Hinshaw dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
Volunteers organize and stack cole slaw, Brunswick stew and other items in the the drive through area during the 81st Mallard Creek Barbecue Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010. JEFF SINER JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobs
Retired Charlotte firefighter Bill Brown, holds his just-bought Mallard Creek BBQ hat while waiting in line to buy some food, Oct. 23, 2014. John D. Simmons Observer file photo
Beth Wood, NC State Auditor, high-fives Cat Lyons at the Mallard Creek Barbecue Oct. 27, 2016. Diedra Laird dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
Mayoral candidate John Lassiter talks to people at the 80th Mallard Creek BBQ at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church in 2009.
Kisha Lynch feeds her son Samir Brown, 15 months, as she enjoys barbecue at the Mallard Creek BBQ on Oct. 22, 2015. Diedra Laird Observer file photo
Greg Amick, left, talks with Edwin Peacock, a Republican candidate for Charlotte mayor at the Mallard Creek BBQ on Thursday Oct. 24, 2013. JOHN D. SIMMONS jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
David Helms, 71, fills a pot with steaming hot barbecue during the 78th annual Mallard Creek BBQ Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. Helms had been working the event for 51 years. LAYNE BAILEY Staff Photographer
Steam rises from a pulled pork sandwich, topped with cole slaw, freshly made by Michel Lapalombella on Thursday Oct. 24, 2013 at the 84th annual Mallard Creek Barbecue. JOHN D. SIMMONS jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Volunteers work the Brunswick stew at Mallard Creek BBQ in Charlotte in 2008 JOHN D. SIMMONS John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charl
Democratic challenger John Edwards meets Republican Senator Lauch Faircloth at the Mallard Creek Barbecue Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, 1998. CHRISTOPHER A. RECORD
Anthony Foxx, then Charlotte's mayor, campaigned Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at the 82nd annual Mallard Creek BBQ. John D. Simmons Observer file photo
Belinda Crowell, left, who worked for seven Charlotte mayors, talks with former mayor Richard Vinroot and Vi Alexander Lyles, who was running for an at-large city council seat on Thursday Oct. 24, 2013 at the 84th annual Mallard Creek Barbecue. JOHN D. SIMMONS jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Sybil Fain carefully crosses a muddy drive as she arrives at the 78th annual Mallard Creek BBQ Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. LAYNE BAILEY Staff Photographer
Fred Smith, a candidate for North Carolina governor, shakes hands with folks at the 78th annual Mallard Creek BBQ Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. LAYNE BAILEY Staff Photographer
Seth Thompson, 11, and Micah Halter, 11, chat with Susan Walker, a candidate for Mecklenburg County Commissioner, at the Mallard Creek BBQ onThursday, Oct. 23, 2008 JOHN D. SIMMONS Observer file photo
Sylvia Deese, a deputy with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department, directs traffic coming into and going out of the Mallard Creek BBQ on Thursday October 23, 2014. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Brandon Brewer 9, left, and Joel Ramirez, 9, leave the Mallard Creek BBQ Thursday afternoon Oct. 26, 2000. The two boys are students at Saint Augustine Academy. JEFF SINER
