Now on vivid display are 25 fiberglass pigs scattered throughout uptown. Each has been attractively —  and humorously — painted and decorated  by local artists in a tribute to local heritage.
Tar Heel Travels Lexington Famous for its barbecue, the town pigs out on its 175th anniversary By Bill F. Hensley

Lexington is one of those quiet, friendly towns where you can find a parking place on Main Street but have to beware of “the chalk lady” who marks tires. It’s a pretty town, too, where even the hard to please would be happy to settle down and raise a family. Best of all, it’s a place you must visit — even if you have to go out of your way — to enjoy its world-class barbecue, that sumptuous, juicy Southern delicacy that folks just can’t do without. Obviously, you will want a side order of red slaw and hushpuppies.

There are 21 restaurants in town that specialize in barbecue. Each day the hometown folks and drop-ins from miles around (check the out-of-state license plates in the parking lot) pack the establishments for ’cue that is “Lexington style.” That means that the tender pork shoulders were hickory-smoked and pit-cooked and basted with a vinegar and tomato-based sauce.

In addition to fabulous food, the town of about 20,000 folks is noted for its historic uptown area that dates to 1828; the Richard Childress Racing Museum; and the Bob Timberlake Gallery, a creation of the noted artist who was raised and still lives here. In the past, furniture manufacturing and textiles played key economic roles but have now seen their impact diminished by foreign imports. A strong tourism effort is helping to offset the problem.

Typical of that is a current promotional project that allows visitors to “pig out” in more ways than one. Now on vivid display are 25 fiberglass pigs that are scattered throughout uptown, covering approximately six blocks. The colorful pigs are about four feet long and three feet tall and have been attractively — and humorously — painted and decorated by local artists in a tribute to local heritage. The display, part of Lexington’s 175th birthday celebration, will remain through the end of October.

Walking the shady streets, visitors will find a fancy dressed pig entitled “dressed to the swines;” a piggy bank (in front of a bank); a patriotic pig painted in camouflage with an American flag in its mouth to “root for the troops;” a rendition of “How Great Sow Art;” a Liberace pig with a candelabra; Pigasso, painted in Picasso style; and Bob-B-Que, a tribute to the aforementioned Timberlake.

One display, called “The Dreamer,” features a painting of a pig in a chef’s hat roasting a human being — with an apple in his mouth, and “fine swine” rests comfortably in front of a wine shop. One of the most clever creations is “Slick” that is located in front of the area’s largest hardware store. It is named after the store owner, Ardell (Slick) Lanier, and is plastered with thousands of nuts, bolts, washers, screws and small tools.

“Chicago had its cows,” says Greta Lint of the Lexington Tourism Authority (her license plate reads BBQ GAL), “and New Orleans had its fish for the world to enjoy. Now we are having some fun with our reputation for great barbecue by paying tribute to what got us there in the first place.”

Liz Parham of Uptown Lexington Inc. notes that the unusual display is drawing walking traffic to the town. “Our merchants are excited about the project,” she says. Following the 20th annual Barbecue Festival on Oct. 25, the pigs will be auctioned with proceeds going to the Uptown Endangered Properties Program. “We wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the stores keep the pigs right where they are,” says Parham. “They like the attention that has been generated.”

While uptown thrives with its old courthouse, museums, candy store, art center and shops, the outlying area is booming, too. Ten minutes north of town on Highway 8 in Welcome, the Richard Childress Racing Museum has built an enlarged shop facility and museum that attracted nearly 21,000 stock-car racing fans during a two-month period at the beginning of the summer.

The 86,000-square foot, 13-building facility on a 35-acre tract turns out racing cars for drivers Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon and Steve Park and formerly produced the No. 3 cars for the late Dale Earnhardt. On display are stock cars and drag racers from past decades along with memorabilia, photographs and trophies. There is an $8 admission charge ($5 for senior citizens).

The Timberlake Gallery opened in 1977 on the edge of town and features a variety of the artist’s paintings along with the work of other artisans and craftsmen who produce art, furniture, apparel, home furnishings and unique gifts. Appropriately, Timberlake has created a special barbecue sauce that is a top sales item.

In the county there are lengthy stretches of the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers for canoeing, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a nostalgic reminiscence, and unusual artifacts in the Davidson County Historical Museum, including Annie Oakley’s saddle.

You have two more months to see the pigs, so head for Lexington as soon as you can. But be sure to leave your diet at home. For further information, contact the Lexington Tourism Authority toll-free at 866-604-2389 or Uptown Lexington Inc. at 336-249-0383.

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