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September 12-14, 2025

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

2025 Fresh Ideas Stage Schedule

Fresh Ideas Stage presented by Mitchell Heating & Cooling

Mitchell HVAC logoCheck out the lineup for the Fresh Ideas Stage at this year's show, packed with on-trend topics from your favorite home improvement pros. Come listen and learn, meet and greet our celebrities and experts! Presented by Mitchell Heating & Cooling, located in booth 127 in the Jim Graham Building. 

Friday, September 12, 2025

1pmTrish MacPherson, NC State Extension Master Gardener VolunteersRecommended Native Shrubs and Trees for the Piedmont 
2pmAllen Mitchell, Mitchell Heating & CoolingAsk an Expert - Home Heating & Cooling 101
3pmFood Network's Michael MixonCompetition Brisket
4pmSam Jones & Michael Letchworth, Sam Jones BBQSalt, Smoke and Time: The Simple Methods of Jones Family BBQ
5pmMichael J Soler, Master Dog Trainer & Behaviorist of Blue Line K-9Unlock the Secrets of Reward Training

 

 

Saturday, September 13, 2025

 

12pmAllen Mitchell, Mitchell Heating & CoolingAsk an Expert - Home Heating & Cooling 101
1pmFood Network's Michael MixonCompetition Brisket
2pmMichael J Soler, Master Dog Trainer & Behaviorist of Blue Line K-9Ask the Dog Trainer: An Interactive Experience!
3pmCindy Chappell, NC State Extension Master Gardener VolunteersInteresting Native Plants for Wake County 
4pmTBATBA

 

 

Sunday, September 14, 2025

1pmNick Seligman, Center Peak Financial ServicesAsk an Expert - Financial Planning for Retirement
2pmTrish MacPherson, NC State Extension Master Gardener VolunteersNative Perennials and Groundcovers for Wake County 
3pmTBATBA

 

Celebrity Presenter: Food Network's Michael Mixon

Taking the lead from his father, “the winningest man in barbecue,” Michael Mixon started his career in barbecue at an early age. He currently runs his own competition team, Jack’s New South, and permanent food truck (Mixon BBQ) in Athens, GA. Michael hosted of “BBQ Rig Race” on Food Network. He was also the co-host of Destination America’s “BBQ Rules” and “BBQ Pitmasters: Father vs. Son,” and has appeared on many other food television shows, including “BBQ USA” and “Kids BBQ Championship.”

 

Michael Mixon is the youngest son to Barbeque legend Myron Mixon. Michael began his journey into barbecue in 1996 while traveling alongside his father on the competitive circuit and working part-time for Myron's championship award winning team, Jack's Old South. In 2011, Michael founded a new competitive team with a wink towards his father's legacy, Jack's New South. Armed with the knowledge and know-how of four generations of Mixons manning the pits before him and his father's "hammy down" equipment, Michael's team quickly garnered attention. In 2012, they became the youngest ever team to be awarded Georgia BBQ Team of the Year and ranked 26th overall out of 10,000 teams. Having proven himself, Myron quickly hired Michael back to oversee Jack's Old South and ensure its continued and legendary success.

 

In 2015, Michael founded the Unadilla New Year’s Eve Hog Drop. Celebrating its 10th year, the Hog Drop has also evolved into a BBQ competition with over 40 teams competing.

 

Michael currently resides in his hometown of Unadilla, Georgia.

 

Celebrity Presenter: Sam Jones BBQ

Sam Jones BBQ opened its doors in 2015 but the traditions that their restaurant was founded on began long before that. Around these parts, they know East North Carolina BBQ means cooking a whole hog over a wood-fired pit. As Sam Jones’ grandad used to say, “If it’s not cooked with wood, it’s not BBQ.” That’s how they feel, too, which is why they continue the legacy of whole-hog cooking, never compromising on quality and always doing it the right way. Today, you’ll find those old traditions mixed in with a few new ones they've cooked up over the years. They hope you’ll come by for a meal real soon because the best thing about cookin’ BBQ is the community it creates.