The Loris Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Loris Bog-Off Festival each year on the third Saturday in October in downtown Loris. The event is a day packed with entertainment, vendors, food, and fun for all ages. The festival began in 1980 as a chicken bog cooking contest and has evolved into the huge event it is today. Chicken bog generally consists of chicken, rice, sausage and spices of your choice; though over the years there have been many variations of this basic recipe.

If you chose not to create your own pot of chicken bog, the Chefs are always on site to provide plates of the southern cuisine at a reasonable price. After all these years the cooking contest is still considered the main focus of the day but is accompanied by over 200 vendors, two stages of entertainment and a huge children’s area. The stage performances include local dance schools, school choruses and local bands. The festival ends with a fireworks extravaganza and a free concert from a national act. If you briefly are unable to find entertainment to your liking, the many craft and retail vendors will keep you busy. After you have dined on the Jamestown Chefs chicken bog, enjoy a funnel cake or homemade ice cream from one of the many food vendors.

The Loris Bog-Off Festival is sponsored by local businesses and anticipated by residents from both of the Carolinas. If you have never feasted on the southern delicacy and love a festive atmosphere this is the place to be on the third Saturday in October with the 35,000 others that won’t miss the event. Make plans to join us for this great festival; you will not be disappointed.

First Place - $1000 AND TROPHY
Second Place - $500 AND TROPHY
People’s Choice - $250 AND TROPHY

This contest is open to amateurs only. Please do not enter if you are a professional chef.

Entry fee is $25.00 per contestant. Monday, September 8, 2025 is the final day to enter the Bog-Off Festival Cooking Contest.

Due to space restrictions, it is necessary to limit the number of contestants to 20. Each contestant will be assigned a 10x10 location. You will be officially considered a contestant when your entry fee is received.

Location assignments will be made when your entry fee is received. Contestants may begin setting up their booth space between 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM on morning of competition. Please note that the festival or City of Loris is not responsible for individual belongings. Cookers must be set up by 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Please drive in, drop your items in your space, park your vehicle and then set up your space.

Only ingredient that can be prepared prior to arriving at the festival is the chicken.

Each contestant must cook a minimum of 16 quarts of chicken bog so there will be enough for sampling in the People’s Choice category. There will be a festival coordinator in the cooking area at all times if you have any questions. Sample cups for People’s Choice will be provided to you the morning of the contest. Please do not use your own sample cups. If you have bog left after the People’s Choice is over, you must take the extra bog home with you. You can not give it away or sell it. There will be new signage in area with all of the rules for the People’s Choice participates.

Each contestant must supply all of their ingredients for cooking and individual cooking devices. This includes items required by the health department (hand washing station, tent, etc.) Each contestant must comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the health department. Please make certain you receive a copy of these regulations with your application.

Any cooking devices with an open flame must be used outside of the tent unless you have a tent labeled fire retardant.

Judging will begin promptly at 12:00 noon. Contest officials will collect ample samples from your booth to be taken to the tasting site. Once the tasting samples has been collected, you may then begin providing samples to the public for the People’s Choice Award.

Chicken bog will be judged on the following: 1. Flavor of ingredients, 2. Appearance and aroma, 3. Texture of chicken bog.

No decorations are required this year. If you choose to decorate your area please refrain from using flammable items.

New…..No animals allowed in the cooking contest area. Service animals only.

Giving chicken bog away, other than People’s Choice Award samples, will result in elimination.

No Solicitation Of Any Kind!

Date: October 18, 2025

Time: 9 AM

Venue: Downtown Loris, SC

Top Bog Entry Form

For more info https://lorischamber.com/loris-bog-off-festival-1.